Swiss Post refines safety processes after drone crash
Swiss Post's drone for the delivery of parcels, as presented in 2017
Ti-press
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/Swiss Post/swissinfo.ch/ilj
An interim report into the most recent Swiss Post drone crash has recommended improvements to the parachute and warning system. Swiss Post has announced that it has already taken measures to improve drone safety.
A drone belonging to a Swiss Post medical deliveries programme crashed on May 9 in a Zurich forest – the second crash in four months. It was not carrying any supplies and nobody was hurt, but the drone was totally destroyed.
An interim report by the Swiss Transport Safety Investigation BoardExternal link (STSB), published on Friday, has shed some light on the accident. Around two minutes after taking off, the drone automatically set off its flight termination system and made an emergency landing. The emergency parachute was set off, but the connecting line to the drone tore.
The investigation also found that the warning signal, which goes off at the same time as the parachute is released, was not heard by people nearby. Two kindergarten teachers and children had been close to the accident site.
The exact cause of why the emergency landing was necessary will be the subject of the final report. In the meantime, the STSB has recommended some safety measures: that the parachute rope is more robust and that the warning signal is more audible.
Post reaction
Swiss Post has already stopped all drone flights after the accident until further notice, but on Friday it announced that it was refining its safety processesExternal link. This includes establishing a board of experts to advise Swiss Post on risk and safety management on drone flight operations in the future.
It has also reacted to the safety points raised in the STSB report including reinforcing the parachute ropes and increasing the number to two and making the drone signal louder. It is not acceptable to Swiss Post that the safety measures have not worked, the company said.
“Swiss Post’s aim is to align its risk and safety management with normal aviation standards,” it added in a statement.
Nevertheless, the company wants to continue to pioneer drone technology as it believes that drones can make an important contribution to efficient healthcare.
More
More
Post office uses drones to connect hospitals
This content was published on
After initial tests in Lugano, Swiss Post will now also fly the skies over the Swiss capital, Bern.
This content was published on
By 8am on Saturday, an 11-kilometre queue had formed at the Gotthard tunnel’s northern entrance, with drivers facing nearly two hours of delays.
Plant-based meat market in Switzerland set to grow to CHF361 million by 2030
This content was published on
Switzerland’s market for plant-based meat alternatives has a potential value of around CHF 242 million this year, though it remains a niche market.
This content was published on
The army is looking for a modern solution for its decommissioned fortress mortar bunkers, with plans to turn them into hardened defence hubs.
This content was published on
Spain ended Switzerland’s run in the Women’s Euros on Friday, but fans in Bern made history with the largest supporters’ march in Women’s Euros history.
This content was published on
Solar energy pioneer Raphaël Domjan and his team continued preparations for the altitude record attempt at 10,000 metres with the SolarStratos solar aircraft.
This content was published on
Cattle in the canton of Geneva and in the neighbouring region of Terre Sainte in the canton of Vaud are being vaccinated against the contagious viral skin nodule disease. The first cases of the animal disease were reported at the end of June in France, just outside Geneva.
Fewer attacks on Swiss ATMs but their future remains uncertain
This content was published on
Bank ATMs in Switzerland are less prone to attacks by criminals, but their future remains uncertain given the less active use of cash by the population.
This content was published on
A series of rockfalls occurred above the village of Brienz between 9 and 12 July. According to the municipality of Albula, the overall situation remains tense. Several people disregarded the ban on entering the area around the village.
This content was published on
Arosa Bergbahnen achieved the highest figure in its 95-year history in the 2024/25 financial year with net revenue of CHF 37 million. Arosa Lenzerheide was able to capitalise on strengths such as snow reliability and the size of the ski area in a long winter season, the company announced on Thursday.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Post resumes drone flights after Zurich accident
This content was published on
Swiss Post is to restart drone flights for healthcare services, which were grounded after an accident involving a drone on Lake Zurich in January.
This content was published on
Tens of thousands of drones are flying over Switzerland unregistered but now the authorities are trying to put an end to their uncontrolled use.
How Switzerland and the US are preparing for a drone future
This content was published on
Francesco Bortoluzzi of the swissnex network explains how the US and Switzerland have been collaborating on drone regulation.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.