The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Swiss Post refines safety processes after drone crash

drone
Swiss Post's drone for the delivery of parcels, as presented in 2017 Ti-press

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.  

+ Read more about the May crash here 

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

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Army seeks "contemporary" solution for bunker facilities

More

Swiss army looks to repurpose old bunkers

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.

Read more: Swiss army looks to repurpose old bunkers
Women's Euro: Berne celebrates a football festival without a happy ending

More

Switzerland knocked out of Women’s Euro 2025

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.

Read more: Switzerland knocked out of Women’s Euro 2025
Solar aeroplane flies around the Matterhorn

More

Solar plane flies around Matterhorn

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.

Read more: Solar plane flies around Matterhorn
Compulsory vaccination against cattle disease in Geneva and parts of Vaud

More

Vaccinations imposed for some Swiss cattle

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.

Read more: Vaccinations imposed for some Swiss cattle
Small rockfalls occurred above Brienz GR

More

Rockfalls measured above Swiss village

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.

Read more: Rockfalls measured above Swiss village
Arosa Bergbahnen with record sales

More

Arosa cable cars celebrate record year

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.

Read more: Arosa cable cars celebrate record year

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

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.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR