Last week, on November 18, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it is investigating Amazon after one of its MK30 delivery drones struck an internet cable in Waco, Texas.
The FAA told Reuters the drone clipped a thin overhead cable around 12:45 p.m. local time, then executed a Safe Contingent Landing as designed. Amazon emphasized there were no injuries or widespread internet outages.
Video reviewed by CNBC shows the six-propeller MK30 drone taking off from a customer’s yard when one propeller became entangled in the line. After the tangle, the drone’s motors shut down, leading to a controlled descent.
This probe comes after the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) opened an inquiry last month into a separate incident in Arizona, where two Prime Air drones collided with a crane. The NTSB confirmed it is not investigating the Waco event.
Amazon began drone deliveries of prescription medications in College Station, Texas, in 2023 through its Amazon Pharmacy partnership. The company aims to reach 500 million annual drone deliveries by 2030, a target now under closer regulatory review.
As drone delivery expands from pilot programs to mainstream logistics, the FAA investigation highlights the challenge of integrating autonomous aerial vehicles into everyday life without disrupting critical infrastructure. For tech enthusiasts, regulators, and global citizens alike, the Waco incident raises fresh questions about the future of urban skies.
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U.S. probes Amazon after delivery drone snaps internet cable in Texas
cgtn.com
