Matternet drone falls uncontrolled near children in Zurich; Swiss Post grounds the delivery fleet
[MALFUNCTION]May 9, 2019 · Matternet · Matternet Station · Raleigh
Failure Mode
MALFUNCTION
Event Date
May 9, 2019
Primary Entity
Matternet
Robotic Platform
Matternet Station
Jurisdiction / Location
Raleigh
Audit Standard
Physical State Verified
Incident Abstract & Audit Findings
During a flight-termination event the drone's parachute cord was severed on a sharp edge, and the roughly 10-to-12 kg Matternet aircraft fell uncontrolled into a wooded area near kindergarten children in Zurich. No one was hurt, but Swiss Post and Matternet grounded the entire fleet; FOCA reviewed mitigations before service resumed in Jan 2020.
System & Fleet Architecture
Operating Manufacturer
Hardware Platform
Operational Sectors
Primary Sources & Evidentiary Filings
- Inspect Filing
https://www.bazg.admin.ch/
https://www.bazg.admin.ch/
- Inspect Filing
https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/30/drone-crash-near-kids-leads-swiss-post-and-matternet-to-suspend-autonomous-deliveries/
https://techcrunch.com/2019/07/30/drone-crash-near-kids-leads-swiss-post-and-matternet-to-suspend-autonomous-deliveries/
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Details
Incident Context & FAQ
What happened in Matternet drone falls uncontrolled near children in Zurich; Swiss Post grounds the delivery fleet?
During a flight-termination event the drone's parachute cord was severed on a sharp edge, and the roughly 10-to-12 kg Matternet aircraft fell uncontrolled into a wooded area near kindergarten children in Zurich. No one was hurt, but Swiss Post and Matternet grounded the entire fleet; FOCA reviewed mitigations before service resumed in Jan 2020. Source: Swiss Post / Matternet statements; TechCrunch and IEEE Spectrum reporting. (Day recorded as the published mid-May 2019 incident date.)
When did this incident occur?
The incident is recorded as occurring on May 9, 2019 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.
What robot was involved in Matternet drone falls uncontrolled near children in Zurich; Swiss Post grounds the delivery fleet?
Matternet Station by Matternet is the recorded robot involved in this incident at Raleigh.
Has anyone responded to Matternet drone falls uncontrolled near children in Zurich; Swiss Post grounds the delivery fleet?
No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.
What is the current status of Matternet drone falls uncontrolled near children in Zurich; Swiss Post grounds the delivery fleet?
This incident is an active record on the DEPLOY registry; no retraction or correction has been issued.