aviation safety

Amazon’s Prime Air drone delivery program faces scrutiny after two MK30 drones collided with a construction crane in Tolleson, Arizona, prompting FAA and NTSB investigations. Drone delivery services in the area are temporarily suspended. The incident caused substantial damage to the drones and raises concerns about safety and reliability, potentially impacting consumer confidence. This follows previous crashes and investigations, highlighting ongoing challenges in scaling Amazon’s drone delivery service and achieving its goal of 500 million annual drone deliveries.

During heavy rain, an Air India Airbus A320 (flight AI2744 from Kochi) veered off the runway at Mumbai Airport, leading to the temporary closure of the affected runway. All passengers and crew deplaned safely. The aircraft sustained damage, including engine intake damage and burst tires. A secondary runway is in use. This incident follows a recent fatal crash involving Air India and precedes a planned EASA investigation into Air India Express, amid concerns about engine maintenance and falsified safety records.

The U.S. DOJ finalized a deferred prosecution agreement with Boeing, sparing criminal charges for 737 MAX crashes (2018-2019, 346 fatalities) tied to concealed safety flaws. Boeing will pay $687 million, including $444.5 million for victims, and enhance compliance measures. Victim families denounced the deal as “corporate immunity,” building on their criticism of Boeing’s 2021 $2.46 billion settlement. Legal experts questioned accountability despite a DOJ fraud indictment for misleading regulators. The agreement coincides with Boeing’s $4.7 billion Spirit AeroSystems acquisition, raising concerns about safety reforms. Analysts remain split on whether this resolves Boeing’s legal risks or delays broader reckoning.