Air carrier flight crew reported a near midair collision with a UAS while on arrival. They reported the incident to ATC and landed with no other problems.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported a near midair collision with a UAS while on arrival. They reported the incident to ATC and landed with no other problems.
Narrative
Flight XXXX ZZZ-PHL. After being handed off from ZZZ Center to PHL approach; and before checking in; we experienced a near miss with a small aircraft or drone. Our attitude was six thousand feet. We were approximately thirty miles south of PHL. The First Officer and I happened to be looking outside at the time and were both startled by the appearance of a small silver colored craft with wings; co-altitude with excessive closure. I estimate the closure was 300 knots. The craft appeared in my peripheral vision at about the one oclock position and passed directly off our right wing by roughly 50 feet. The encounter lasted for perhaps only one or two seconds. When I checked in with PHL approach; I reported the sighting whereupon the controller instructed me to call on landing. I did so and reported the event to Person A at TRACON. In accordance with the FOM; I called dispatch the next day and spoke to the shift manager and an Assistant Chief Pilot (ACP). The ACP asked me to fill out a general safety form and provide these details.
Second reporter narrative
Flying XXXX from ZZZ to PHL. I was the First Officer (FO) and Pilot Flying (PF). We were flying the PAATS4 RNAV arrival with the autopilot engaged. I believe we were level at 6;000 ft. MSL near CANNY intersection when the Captain said; 'what's that?'. I looked up and he pointed to an object off our right side at our same altitude. We were flying at approximately 250 KIAS so it zoomed past us rather quickly. The object appeared to be either a large drone or a small aircraft. Its color was white or light grey.I'd estimate its distance from us to be around 200 meters but it's difficult to say for sure.We did not receive any TCAS TA or RA or any warning from ATC about traffic.The Captain was Pilot Monitoring (PM) and reported the object to PHL Tracon via voice radio. He was also given a phone number to call after landing. The Captain called the number after we landed and spoke with ATC.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.