Single Engine Turboprop Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 350; Flight Crew Total 10000; Flight Crew Type 4000
Conflict NMAC
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Procedure
On an 8 mile ferry back to my airstrip I suddenly had a windshield full of a drone. I immediately banked 90 to the right and then instantly back hard left to try to reacquire the drone. It was at that point I saw a van parked in the S.E. corner of a potato field. As I circled the van I noticed the shadow of the drone again as it landed. I noted my altimeter at 550 ft. When I asked the drone company about this I was told the drone operator climbed to avoid me. I don't believe this is true because I didn't notice anyone standing outside the van and I'm certain no one observed me approaching. This incident was 1.7 nm from my airstrip. This is the 3rd close call with a drone belonging to this company. This summer with either my airplane or the other airplane we operate we had had 3 close calls. My competitor has had 2 in the 300 ft - 400 ft range.
A General Aviation pilot reported an NMAC with a drone at approximately 500 feet altitude.