Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 22; Flight Crew Total 963; Flight Crew Type 485
Distraction; Situational Awareness; Troubleshooting
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Object
General None Reported / Taken
Aircraft
I was conducting a private flight in my aircraft.  I had utilized VFR flight following and was handed off to Tower.   I heard numerous bangs in quick succession. They were alarming and my wife whom was in the front passenger seat abruptly turned to me and exclaimed in a concerned tone; 'what was that'? I too was extremely concerned and began checking all aircraft systems. Fortunately; all systems were functioning and I continued the approach to an uneventful landing. Upon examination of the aircraft post-landing; I noted damage to the fairing protruding from the underwing of the right main landing gear. Although I did not see what caused the damage; I am certain the damage was not present before the return flight due to my preflight inspection. I surmise the aircraft was struck by an unmanned aerial system as there were no signs of blood or feathers consistent with a bird strike.
A General Aviation pilot reported hearing banging noises on final approach and upon inspecting the aircraft after landing saw damage and believes it was caused by colliding with a UAV.