Amazon said Friday it will resume its Prime Air drone delivery service in Arizona, days after suspending operations following a crash that drew scrutiny from federal regulators.
The incident occurred Wednesday in Tolleson, Arizona, when two Prime Air drones collided with a crane near Amazon’s same-day facility, sending them crashing to the ground. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have opened investigations into the crash.
Amazon, which has been delivering packages up to five pounds in the Phoenix Metro’s West Valley since November 2024, paused operations immediately after the incident.
“Safety is our top priority, and we’ve completed our own internal review of this incident and are confident that there wasn’t an issue with the drones or the technology that supports them,” said Amazon spokesperson Terrence Clark. He added that the company has introduced new safety processes, including enhanced visual inspections to detect moving obstructions like cranes.
The crash marks the latest setback for Amazon’s drone program, which has faced delays, executive departures, and prior safety incidents. In December 2024, Amazon suspended drone deliveries in Arizona and College Station, Texas, after a mid-air collision in Oregon. The company has since shut down operations in Texas.
Despite challenges, Amazon is aiming to scale drone delivery to 500 million packages per year by the end of the decade. In May 2024, the FAA granted approval for longer-range drone flights, clearing a path for expansion. Amazon has said it plans to grow Prime Air service in Texas, Michigan, Missouri, and other states.
