An investigation has been launched after an Amazon drone crashed into a garden while delivering a package.
No one was injured in the crash on Wednesday in Darlington, County Durham, according to the retail giant.
An Amazon spokesperson said its investigation is ongoing.
“Our initial assessment is that an object extending above the roof of a moving vehicle inadvertently came into contact with a Prime Air drone during delivery,” the spokesperson said.
“Following the contact, the drone responded as designed and came safely to the ground.
“We are continuing to investigate and are working closely with the relevant regulatory authorities.”
A spokesperson for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said: “An accident involving a drone that was delivering a package in Darlington was reported to the AAIB.
“An investigation has been launched, and we have begun making inquiries.”
In January, the US tech giant announced it had begun “a limited number of flights” out of its Darlington fulfilment centre ahead of launching its UK airborne delivery service in 2026.
The firm said at the time: “We can confirm we have commenced a limited number of Prime Air drone flights out of our Darlington fulfilment centre in Symmetry Park.
“This marks an exciting next step in bringing drone delivery to the UK, and we continue to work closely with Darlington Council and the Civil Aviation Authority throughout this period.”
Amazon said the MK30 drone uses sophisticated technology to avoid obstacles and ensure “the safety of people, pets, and property”.
The drones have been designed to be quiet – with noise levels in line with a traditional van delivery, the firm said.
It added: “As the MK30 descends for delivery, its onboard systems identify and steer clear of obstacles such as clothes lines or trampolines — items that might not appear in satellite maps.
“These same cameras continuously monitor the surrounding airspace during flight, determining whether evasive action is needed to avoid other aircraft entering the drone’s flight path.
“The perception technology relies on sophisticated machine learning models trained to recognise various objects, including people, animals, physical barriers, and other airborne vehicles.”
