Amazon Faces FAA Probe After Delivery Drone Snaps Internet Cable In Texas (cnbc.com)
- Reference: 0180219525
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/11/26/2326203/amazon-faces-faa-probe-after-delivery-drone-snaps-internet-cable-in-texas
- Source link: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/amazon-faa-probe-delivery-drone-incident-texas.html
> The incident occurred on Nov. 18 around 12:45 p.m. Central in Waco, Texas. After dropping off a package, one of Amazon's MK30 drones was ascending out of a customer's yard when one of its six propellers got tangled in a nearby internet cable, according to a video of the incident viewed and verified by CNBC. The video shows the Amazon drone shearing the wire line. The drone's motor then appeared to shut off and the aircraft landed itself, with its propellers windmilling slightly on the way down, the video shows. The drone appeared to remain in tact beyond some damage to one of its propellers.
>
> The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident, a spokesperson confirmed. The National Transportation Safety Board said the agency is aware of the incident but has not opened a probe into the matter. Amazon confirmed the incident to CNBC, saying that after clipping the internet cable, the drone performed a "safe contingent landing," referring to the process that allows its drones to land safely in unexpected conditions.
"There were no injuries or widespread internet service outages. We've paid for the cable line's repair for the customer and have apologized for the inconvenience this caused them," an Amazon spokesperson told CNBC, noting that the drone had completed its package delivery.
[1] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/amazon-faa-probe-delivery-drone-incident-texas.html
overhead cable TV plant (Score:1)
> ...one of its six propellers got tangled in a nearby internet cable.
You mean overhead cable TV plant? I suppose more people use coax for DOCSIS than CATV now...
Re: (Score:2)
I have overly expensive cable internet already, I don't need to also pay for CATV.
Fake News (Score:2)
Everyone knows the Internet runs through pipes, internet pipes, not internet wires. Underground internet pipes to be specific. I mean what kind of idiots string their internet cables around in the air like Christmas lights anyway?
This Is Huge (Score:3)
No. This is inconsequential. Literally nothing at all.
I wonder how much the FAA will pass away "investigating".
If you think this is something (Score:2)
Wait until you find out about all the accidents their road-based delivery vehicles cause. Hell, a few years back an Amazon driver crashed into my car while it was parked in my driveway.
It happens, and at least in my case they made good on paying for the damages.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
I found out and it's boring. Amazon has 60 crashes per million miles, half of USPS rate.
Re: (Score:2)
My implication was a comparison of the number of drone crashes against their other forms of delivery.
Although to be honest, even compared against other delivery industry players, I'm surprised it's not higher. Their semi truck drivers drive like maniacs.
A FedEx truck... (Score:2)
I had a FedEx truck clip a support wire for an electric pole in front of my house. It pulled on the pole so much that it and 2 poles in each direction were all wobbling. The lines where swaying so much that the lines must have arced, and caused power to go out at my house and several of my neighbors. The damage that this drone did was very mundane in comparison. Why would this require an FAA investigation?
MSNBC fired their editors as a cost-saving measure (Score:2)
But it's not "in tact" - it's "intact".
Re: (Score:2)
Thank you!
Coming next week... (Score:2)
Coming next week to a city near you: Amazon drone kamikazes itself into toddler's bedroom. Film at 11.