EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Conflict NMAC
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure
During landing on 10L ORD Tower told us to look for a helicopter at 900ft. Tower then told us the traffic was no factor. At approximately 500ft we saw the helicopter almost on our left wing at our altitude. There was no time to make any maneuvers; it happened incredibly fast. The helicopter was operating without a transponder on. The Helicopter also appeared to be still flying towards us. In addition; I failed to mention that the autopilot was flying during the approach. The aircraft was stable and completely configured for landing with flaps 45 and gear down prior to encountering the helicopter.Continuing to land at that split second kept us moving away from the helicopter; which I believe was the least risk maneuver since there was no TA/RA and a go-around would have induced further risk to the flight. An operational transponder would have allowed us to see where they actually were and would have allowed us the time to just go-around.
EMB145 Captain experiences a NMAC with a helicopter at 500 feet during approach to Runway 10L at ORD. The Tower had alerted the crew to the helicopter's presence; then advised that it was no factor. The helicopter had no transponder and there was insufficient time for evasive action.