Amazon.Com Services LLC MK30 accident near Pendleton, Oregon, December 16, 2024
On December 16, 2024 at about 5:58 pm local time, a 2024 Amazon.Com Services LLC MK30 (helicopter), registered N209PA, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Pendleton, Oregon (Eastern Oregon Rgnl At Pendlet airport). It was a flight test under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An improper altitude indication from a recent software update, which resulted in a loss of engine power in flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 16, 2024 · about 5:58 pm local time
- Place
- Pendleton, Oregon · Eastern Oregon Rgnl At Pendlet · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amazon.Com Services LLC MK30, built 2024
- Registration
- N209PA · registry record · serial 178650100G
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The operator of the unmanned aircraft system (UAS) reported that, during a test flight with a new software upgrade, the UAS completed the delivery mission and was transitioning to land, when all six motors suddenly stopped. The UAS fell to the ground and impacted the asphalt taxiway, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. Examination of the UAS by the operator revealed that the vehicle erroneously determined it had touched down due to an incorrect altitude reading from a new software installation, which resulted in a loss of engine power. The operator reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the UAS that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during landing defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Indicating/recording systems › Automatic data › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: private, remote
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: unmanned (suas)
- Flight time: 255 hours in all; 250 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 30, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: none
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 57.3 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, November 20, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 83 lb
- Seats: 0
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine 1: Ama/Expr UNKNOWN ENG (electric); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Ama/Expr UNKNOWN ENG (electric); 0 hours total
- Engine 3: Ama/Expr UNKNOWN ENG (electric); 0 hours total
- Engine 4: Ama/Expr UNKNOWN ENG (electric); 0 hours total
- Engine 5: Ama/Expr UNKNOWN ENG (electric); 0 hours total
- Engine 6: Ama/Expr UNKNOWN ENG (electric); 0 hours total
- Operator: Amazon.Com Services LLC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 39°F (4°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 am from KPDT
Weather report (METAR): KPDT 161753Z 32004KT 10SM BKN050 BKN065 OVC080 04/03 A2996 RMK AO2 RAE49 SLP149 P0000 60008 T00390033 10061 20039 53006
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
1 document, released by the NTSB on April 22, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N209PA the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.