FAA Investigates Amazon Drone Cable Collision in Texas

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an incident in which an Amazon delivery drone collided with an overhead internet cable in Waco, Texas, on November 18, shortly after completing a package drop-off.

The drone, an MK30 model recently certified for commercial operations, struck the cable around 12:45 p.m. local time while ascending from a customer's yard, according to the FAA. Video footage of the event shows one of the drone's six propellers becoming entangled in the thin wire, causing the motors to shut down and the aircraft to descend in a controlled manner. The entanglement severed the cable, but the drone executed what Amazon described as a safe contingent landing, a built-in safety procedure designed to end the mission early in unexpected situations and bring the vehicle down without risk to people or property on the ground.

Amazon self-reported the mishap to the FAA and confirmed that the incident resulted in no injuries and no widespread internet service disruptions. A company spokesperson stated that the firm had covered the cost of repairing the cable for the affected customer and issued an apology for the inconvenience. The drone sustained damage to...