Flight crew reported the Captain took evasive action due to a near midair collision with a UAS while they were on initial departure climb.
Synopsis
Flight crew reported the Captain took evasive action due to a near midair collision with a UAS while they were on initial departure climb.
Narrative
Taking off out of Statesville on Runway 10; I was the pilot flying; and at 400 feet began a left turn heading 360 to pick up our IFR flight plan. Soon after we noticed on TCAS a target descending in our direction. We stopped our turn to try and remain clear of the traffic; but with our high rate of climb and the target descending towards us; my captain stated he had the aircraft and took the flight controls while beginning to level-off below the target. The target continued to descend toward us; so my captain went to idle thrust and initiated a descent. We got an RA followed immediately by a 'DESCEND' RA; which commanded a 1500 fpm descent. He decisively placed the airplane into the green zone of the commanded RA alert. As he was following the RA; I looked to my right and observed a small object that appeared to be a drone pass very close to our right side and less than 500 feet above us. After clear of conflict; the controls were handed back to me; and I continued our climb while my Captain contacted ATL ATC to pick up our clearance. We continued to our destination.
Second reporter narrative
Departed SVH on Runway 10; F/O was flying at 400' stared a left turn to heading 360 to pick up our IFR flight plan. We both noticed on TCAS a target descending in our direction. We stopped our turn to remain clear of the traffic but with our high rate of climb and the target descending towards us I stated my aircraft took the controls and started to level off below the target. The target continued to descend towards us; so I went to idle thrust and initiated a descent. We got an RA followed almost immediately by a Descend RA commanding me to a 1500ft per minute descent; but I was already at that rate in the green. F/O observed a small object that appeared to be a drone pass very close off our right side. We were VFR the entire time; I gave the controls back to the F/O he continued our climb while I contacted ATL ATC to pick up our clearance. We continued to our destination.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.