Air carrier Captain reported an NMAC with a UAS during approach. The crew was made aware by ATC and no evasive action was taken.

2026-02 · NASA ASRS report 2332338

Date: 2026-02 · Aircraft: Heavy Transport · Phase: approach

Anomalies: airspace-violation-all-types|conflict-nmac|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-unauthorized-flight-operations-uas|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-far|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy

Synopsis

Air carrier Captain reported an NMAC with a UAS during approach. The crew was made aware by ATC and no evasive action was taken.

Narrative

While on the ILS 25L approach into LAX; our flight experienced a Near Midair Collision (NMAC) with a drone aircraft. The previous aircraft reported a drone sighting to SoCal Approach. We were advised of the drone sighting by SoCal with about 30 seconds advanced notice. So; I as the non-flying pilot; was focused on looking for the traffic. I was able to sight the drone about 5 seconds before the aircraft passed about 50 feet off our left wing at about 10;400msl. Our position was just west of the KRAIN intersection. I immediately pointed the aircraft out to the flying pilot. Because of the size of the drone; and the brevity of the encounter; initially; it was difficult to tell how far away; what altitude; or exactly what the object was. But at the time of the initial sighting; it was obvious that we would not collide with the drone. As the drone passed off the left wing and slightly higher than our altitude; the drone maneuvered on its side. I could clearly see (either the top or bottom) that the aircraft was in the shape of an X and about 1 meter in size. After the encounter; I reported the NMAC to SoCal Approach. The aircraft following ours also reported the sighting; so I knew that our aircraft did not collide with the drone. It was still flying at the same position about 1 minute later.Suggestions: Better adherence to regulations regarding the operation and separation of drone aircraft; by the drone operator.

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

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