# NTSB WPR24LA302: Amazon.Com Services MK30, N213PA, Pendleton, OR, September 6, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 6, 2024, 10:52 local (17:52 UTC) - Place: Pendleton, OR - Coordinates: 45.69093, -118.83914 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6909&lon=-118.8391&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining events: [Enroute-cruise: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250); [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 195091 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA302 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195091/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195091 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA302 ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The operator’s failure to maintain separation between two drones during dual simulated engine out recoveries, which resulted in a midair collision. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Amazon.Com Services MK30, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=06102FK), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Amazon.Com Services MK30, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=06102FK), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Amazon.Com Services MK30, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=06102FK), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Amazon.Com Services MK30, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=06102FK), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Amazon.Com Services MK30, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=06102FK), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Amazon.Com Services MK30, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=06102FK), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 1) 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. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N213PA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N213PA), registered now, S/N 178650100H, built 2024 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC MK30 - Registry model: [Amazon.Com Services MK30](https://openairdocs.org/model/amazon-com-services-mk30) (registry code 06102FK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, unmanned - Serial number: 178650100H - Year built: 2024 - Engines: AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG electric; AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG electric; AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG electric; AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG electric; AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG electric; AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG electric - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Operator: Amazon.Com Services LLC - Registered owner: Amazon.Com Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: PDT, Pendleton, OR - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: PDT, Eastern Oregon Rgnl At Pendleton ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N282PA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N282PA), registered now, S/N 178650100X, built 2024 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AMAZON.COM SERVICES LLC MK30 - Registry model: [Amazon.Com Services MK30](https://openairdocs.org/model/amazon-com-services-mk30) (registry code 06102FK) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter, unmanned - Serial number: 178650100X - Year built: 2024 - Airframe hours: 33 - Engines: AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG electric; AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG electric; AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG electric; AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG electric; AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG electric; AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG electric - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Flight test, Part 91 - Operator: Amazon.Com Services LLC - Registered owner: Amazon.Com Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 6, 2024 - Departed: PDT, Pendleton, OR - Destination: Same as departure ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N213PA; age 31; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 23, 2024; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 215 total, 155 in this make and model, 215 as pilot in command - Pilot, aircraft N282PA; age 31; injuries: none; private, remote; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 23, 2024; seat: none; restraint: none; flight hours: 215 total, 155 in this make and model, 215 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: KPDT - METAR: KPDT 061753Z VRB03KT 10SM CLR 30/07 A3009 RMK AO2 SLP170 T03000072 10300 20172 58002 $ ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20240906013292A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240906013292A), Sep 6, 2024: Amazon.Com Services LLC MK30, Pendleton, OR, Destroyed. On September 6, 2024 the subject two MK30 UAS were conducting probable failure testing flights under a sac-ec and experimental authority at the Pendleton,… - [Accident 20240906020911A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240906020911A), Sep 6, 2024: Amazon.Com Services LLC MK30, Pendelton, OR, Substantial damage. On September 6, 2024 the subject two MK30 UAS were onducting probable failure testing flights under a sac-ec and experimental authority at the pendleton,… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 13, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195091. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17687816&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Operator%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.