Helicopter
Flight Crew Rotorcraft; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 90; Flight Crew Total 2700; Flight Crew Type 500
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure
While conducting a routine aerial mission in the vicinity of the McAllen International Airport a near miss occurred with a suspected privately owned drone aircraft. While performing low level helicopter operations; the non-flying crewmember saw an object at the same the altitude as our aircraft. The pilot banked the aircraft to the left to avoid the object. As the object passed off to the right of the aircraft; within approximately 100ft of the aircraft; it was observed that it was quadcopter drone type aircraft. Drone is suspected of being flown by an on duty [government] agent; who was not authorized to conduct aerial surveillance operations. No further actions were necessary and the aircrew continued mission without incident.
Helicopter crew experienced a near miss with a drone which required evasive action.