Drone News: Amazon tells FAA not to investigate Drone Accidents, Hera Rescue, 1300lb drone crash

This week in drone news, Amazon has apparently been telling the
FAA not to investigate drone crashes as they are investigating, a
new defense/public safety drone, and a large crop-spraying drone
crash in California.








It appears that Prime Air has been avoiding FAA crash
investigations by claiming the company has the authority to
conduct its own investigations 


At least twice, FAA inspectors have found that Amazon has moved
crash evidence and/or inhibited an investigation.


At least 8 Amazon drones crashed last year, one sparking a 20
acre wildfire in Oregon.


Amazon said that regulatory delays could “Totally Disrupt” the
goal timeline of launching Prime Air delivery in 2024.


Amazon responded by stating that the company has"has complied
with all incident reporting, investigation, and other applicable
regulatory requirements," the spokesperson, Kelly Nantel, said.
"Over the last seven years, the FAA has never taken an
enforcement action against Prime Air, and has awarded us an air
carrier certificate to enable commercial deliveries — showing
that our comprehensive process has met the FAA's high bar.”


https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-prime-air-faa-regulators-investigation-drone-crashes-2022-5





A California Start up named “Realtime Robotics” has released a
portable heavy lift drone that they say beats competitors in
terms of situational awareness for first responders.


The Hera is a backpack-sized drone with a payload capacity of
30lbs and can be outfitted with up to 4 EO/IR cameras. 


The aircraft can be tethered or untethered with a flight time of
46minutes with a 5lb payload.


Realtime Robotics also says the Hera is NDAA compliant.


Guessed to be around $25k 


https://rtrobotics.com/





A large crop splaying aircraft crashed in Winters, CA


While news sources say the aircraft had a wing span of 10 feet,
an NTSB report states the aircraft make/model, suggesting a wing
span of 38 feet, and a MGTOW of 1320lbs.


The drone, a Pyka Pelican 7, crashed into a field, and was
involved in a post-crash fire.


There were no injuries. 


NTSB Accident # WPR22LA183


https://www.wintersexpress.com/local-news/unmanned-aircraft-crashes-in-ag-field