A pilot who believes his light aircraft was struck by a drone ahead of landing in Adelaide’s north has prompted an investigation by Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) officers.

Police said they were contacted just after 7pm on Tuesday by a pilot who believed he may have struck a drone on approach to Parafield Airport.

The ATSB said they would review the area during daylight on Wednesday to try to find remnants of a drone before confirming it was an unmanned aerial vehicle and not a bird.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority rules prohibit the flying of drones above 120 metres and within 5.5 kilometres of a controlled aerodrome with an operating control tower.

Drones are not allowed to be flown at night.

Fines range from $900 up to $9000 for breaching operating conditions.