Amazon faces FAA probe after delivery drone snaps internet cable in Texas

Amazon is currently under scrutiny from federal authorities following an incident where one of its delivery drones severed an internet cable in central Texas. This investigation comes as the company aims to broaden its drone delivery services across the United States, facing increasing competition from Walmart, which has also ventured into the drone delivery space. The incident took place on November 18 around 12:45 p.m. Central time in Waco, Texas. After successfully delivering a package, an MK30 drone ascended from a customer's yard but accidentally snagged a nearby internet cable with one of its six propellers. A video confirmed by CNBC reveals the drone cutting through the wire, leading to the drone’s motor shutting down and executing a self-landing maneuver, albeit with some damage to one of its propellers. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has acknowledged the occurrence and is investigating the matter. Meanwhile, the National Transportation Safety Board has noted its awareness of the event but has not initiated its own investigation. Amazon has stated that the drone landed safely despite the cable mishap, ensuring no injuries or major internet outages occurred. The company has since covered the cost of repairs for the damaged cable and expressed its apologies to the affected customer. This incident follows a previous investigation launched last month into a collision between two of Amazon’s Prime Air drones and a construction crane in Arizona, prompting a temporary halt to deliveries in that region. Amazon has been working on its drone delivery initiative for over a decade, aiming to fulfill founder Jeff Bezos’s vision of rapid package delivery. The company first initiated drone deliveries in 2022 in College Station, Texas, and Lockeford, California, but has encountered various setbacks, including regulatory challenges and workforce reductions as part of broader cost-cutting measures. Amazon has set an ambitious target to deliver 500 million packages by drone annually by 2030. The latest MK30 drones are designed to be quieter, lighter, and equipped with advanced sense-and-avoid technology to navigate around obstacles. To facilitate safe deliveries, Amazon recommends that customers maintain a clear 10-foot radius around their properties. Recently, the company expanded its drone delivery services to Waco and several other locations, including Kansas City, Missouri, and San Antonio, Texas. Walmart has been in the drone delivery game since 2021, collaborating with Alphabet's Wing and Zipline to provide services across various states, including Texas.