Recreational / Hobbyist UAS pilot reported during cruise and flying below 400 feet in an area with no airspace restrictions; saw an approaching C-130 flying towards the UAS at a low level. The UAS pilot immediately flew to a lower altitude and landed to avoid any further conflict.
Synopsis
Recreational / Hobbyist UAS pilot reported during cruise and flying below 400 feet in an area with no airspace restrictions; saw an approaching C-130 flying towards the UAS at a low level. The UAS pilot immediately flew to a lower altitude and landed to avoid any further conflict.
Narrative
I was flying at LAT: XX.XXX LONG: XX.XXX recreational when a C-130 approached from behind me. It looked from my angle to maybe be at 400 feet headed straight for my drone. The aircraft then banked to the left as it approached my drone. I quickly descended as fast as possible to avoid a collision. My drone was able to make a safe landing and the aircraft kept flying. I confirmed through my data that I was 100% under 400 feet at the time of the near miss. I was not in an area where I needed permission to fly according to Aloft and B4UFLY. I talked with representatives of ZZZ which has C-130 they said; 'None of our aircraft have been below 1;000 feet over [the city] today.' They also said; 'None of their pilots had reported a close call with a drone.' But that it could be another [aircraft] flying in the area as others regularly fly in the area. I then informed them that from my angle it looked lower and that I would file a report just in case there are any questions in the future or someone came forward.
NASA callback
UAS pilot reported they spoke with staff from the nearby airport and found no further information about the route of the C-130. The area of the flight was not near any charted military training routes.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.