Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 56; Flight Crew Total 12707; Flight Crew Type 1112
Conflict NMAC
I was the PM (Pilot Monitoring) and the CA (Captain) was the PF (Pilot Flying). I believe the CA was hand flying. We were descending southbound on a base leg for a visual to RWY 26R in ATL; we encountered a drone at close range. We were 13 miles or so from the ATL VOR; just outside of the 12.0 DME arc of class B airspace; which exists between 3;000 - 12;500 ft. MSL. We were descending out of 5;200 ft. MSL or so; when I saw a dark-colored drone; northbound; at approximately 4;900 ft. We both saw it once it was at our 2:00 - 3:00 position; so evasive action was unnecessary; but it was within a wingspan or two from us. It was also 200 - 300 ft. below our altitude and we were descending. We reported it to ATL TRACON. They asked the pertinent questions and notified aircraft behind us; but; from what I heard before leaving the frequency; there were no other sightings.
Air carrier flight crew observed a UAV within several hundred feet. Flight was in Class B airspace on base turn of approach.