Pilot Debrief

AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC MK30 near Pendleton, OR — 2024-09-06

Final reportWPR24LA302
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Date
2024-09-06
Location
Pendleton, OR, USA
Airport
PDT
Aircraft
AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC MK30
Registration
N213PA
Category
Helicopter
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The operator’s failure to maintain separation between two drones during dual simulated engine out recoveries, which resulted in a midair collision.

NTSB narrative

The operator of the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) reported that during a test flight, N213PA was intentionally faulted by the UAS operator to simulate a “motor out recovery” and diverted to an alternate landing pad as the system was designed to do. The same fault was applied to N282PA as it was departing, which then diverted the UAS to the same alternate landing pad and into the flight path of N213PA, resulting in a mid-air collision. Both UAS sustained substantial damage throughout. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with either UAS that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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