Air carrier Captain reported an NMAC with a UAS during initial approach. No evasive action was taken.

Date: 2025-12 · Aircraft: B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model · Phase: approach

Anomalies: Airspace violation all typesConflict near mid-air collision (NMAC)Deviation discrepancy procedural unauthorized flight operations uasDeviation discrepancy procedural FARDeviation discrepancy procedural published material policy

Synopsis

Air carrier Captain reported an NMAC with a UAS during initial approach. No evasive action was taken.

Narrative

While on a vector to for the ILS XXR; the plane ahead of us reported a close encounter with a drone at 4000. That crew described the drone as a red quadcopter at 4000. We were then given a vector to intercept and informed by ATC to be aware of the drone. About 1 NM NE of ZZZZZ we passed in close proximity; about 200 feet laterally; of the drone which was at our altitude of 4000 MSL. We informed ATC and it was not necessary to take evasive action to avoid the drone. After landing; I debriefed the Chief Pilot and dispatcher and called the ZZZ TRACON to file the NMAC report. The Supervisor stated they would pull the Falcon replay and that they were subsequently vectoring planes in at a lower altitude.

More incidents for this aircraft family →

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.