Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Conflict Airborne Conflict
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
On approach to Runway 4 at La Guardia the First Officer (pilot not flying) said that we just about hit something off the right side of the aircraft and she thought it was a drone. We were at approximately 1;700 FT. After we landed and got to the gate we were discussing this because I never saw it when a passenger stepped in and asked if that had been a drone on final. We then called Clearance on the radio. They took the info and gave us a telephone number for the Tower. We then contacted the Tower and reported what the First Officer had seen.
On approach to Runway 4 into LGA at dusk on a VMC day; I saw an object approximately 300-500 FT below and to the east of the final approach course. We were just outside of NORAY at about 1;900 FT. It appeared to be an aircraft; but it wasn't showing on TCAS. I told the Captain. As we got closer; it was silver and I thought it was a mylar balloon. Then as it passed underneath us on the east side of our course; I thought it may be a UAV and told the Captain this. After parking; a passenger stopped by the cockpit to ask if we saw the drone over Brooklyn. The Captain reported it to LGA Clearance; who told him to tell the Tower. He reported it to the Tower. The Tower said others had reported seeing it; too. I'm not a drone expert; but this didn't look like the drones I've seen before so I'm not 100% certain that it was a drone. It was all silver and from above looked like pipes wound around each other; almost like a small intestine looks. I didn't notice any other markings on it. It did not appear to be moving higher in altitude or closer to us. A course and/or altitude deviation was not required to avoid it.
CRJ700 First Officer reports seeing an object; possibly a UAV or a balloon; pass below her aircraft at 1;900 FT during approach to Runway 4 at LGA.