Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Conflict NMAC; Inflight Event / Encounter Object
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure; Human Factors
On arrival into BOS; on what was effectively base leg prior to turning final for Runway 22L; just as we were beginning a descent out of 3000 feet; I saw a blue and white UAV pass directly under the nose of the aircraft. I would estimate the distance below us to have been 300 feet. The encounter lasted less than 2-3 seconds from initial sighting to the UAV passing out of sight beneath our aircraft. Blue and white and 4-rotor; I think; though I only caught the brief glimpse of it. No action was taken on our part as the device was gone before we could do anything. I notified ATC of the encounter. I transferred control of the aircraft briefly to the First Officer so I could concentrate on the communication as any danger was past. The First Officer had been 'heads down' for that brief moment 'sequencing the approach'; so she never saw anything. Her first knowledge of the event was when I started talking to ATC. The controller asked the usual questions; and then cleared us for the approach. Normal approach and landing. Taxied to the gate. No further action was taken. Neither the First Officer nor I had any contact with anyone other than company people about the incident. An idiot with a drone. Nothing we could have done. No way for the ATC people to know about it. Ban all drone use within 50 miles of any airport. Arrest and jail anyone caught violating this rule.
Air carrier Captain reported airborne conflict with a UAV on base leg into BOS.