Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 525; Flight Crew Type 100
Confusion; Distraction
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Unauthorized Flight Operations (UAS); Inflight Event / Encounter Aircraft
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Airport; Human Factors
Aircraft was in the traffic pattern at ZZZ; downwind leg turning to base; approximate altitude 3;000ft MSL; 90 MPH. Approximately .25 mile from the approach end of RUNWAY. A small impact was heard and felt by the pilot. There was nothing observed by the pilot; no evasive action taken. There were no control issues with the aircraft; initial thoughts were that a bird strike had occurred. After parking in the hangar; the aircraft was inspected. Damage from impact with a solid object was found on the underside of the right wing; outboard wing panel and wing tip. There were scratches on the paint and a slight crease in a wing skin. There was no structural damage and the aircraft is airworthy. The damage was consistent with a hard object with a width of at least 18 inches; and suggested that the impact was with a drone. Within the traffic pattern and at pattern elevation of an airport is not an appropriate area for drone operation.
Callback completed and pilot was able to confirm impact was most likely from a quad style type drone due to damage and scratches to aircraft.
General aviation pilot struck a UAS while on approach. After landing and during inspection of the aircraft the pilot found damage to the wing of the aircraft.