The incident comes amid regulatory efforts, including a proposed U.S. Transportation Department rule to allow drones to operate beyond visual line of sight, aiming to expand commercial drone use.

Amazon’s MK30 drones, approved in 2023, can carry up to five pounds within a 7.5-mile radius, relying on onboard vision systems and machine learning for obstacle detection.

The company emphasizes its 'detect and avoid' system, but the crash highlights ongoing challenges with obstacle detection technology, which may require software updates.

Two Amazon Prime Air delivery drones collided with a crane in Tolleson, Arizona, prompting an active investigation by local authorities, including the FAA and NTSB.

This marks the second time drone operations in Tolleson have been paused since beginning less than a year ago, the first being in January 2025 for software updates and FAA validation.

The incident occurred around 1 p.m. EST in a commercial area near 96th Avenue and Roosevelt Street, with the drones landing in a nearby backyard after the crash.

Witnesses saw one drone clip the crane's cable, which was being used to lift equipment onto a building, raising questions about obstacle detection failures.

Amazon has temporarily suspended drone flights in Tolleson as it reviews safety measures, including enhanced visual inspections for obstructions like cranes.

No serious injuries were reported, although one person was evaluated for possible smoke inhalation, and a drone was badly damaged outside a building with fire crews present.

Despite over ten years of development and significant investment, Prime Air remains limited to select U.S. cities, with a target of 500 million drone deliveries annually by 2030, facing operational and safety challenges.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with authorities expected to release a preliminary report within 30 days, and further safety measures are being considered.

Since FAA approval in May 2025, Amazon has expanded drone deliveries to include products like smartphones, with a reduced drop height of about four meters to prevent battery damage.