Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 104; Flight Crew Total 23000; Flight Crew Type 5366
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Distraction
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Became Reoriented
Airport; Procedure; Environment - Non Weather Related
Landing Runway 11 at Delhi. As aircraft was in the flare in the touchdown zone what I would describe a series of professional grade fireworks; multicolored/flowery; were lit off approximately near Taxiway S3 and between Taxiway Z and Runway 11; where I show a red/yellow symbol on the airport chart.This took the crew by surprise and was very distracting at a critical time. The crew had no previous knowledge that this activity would happen. I briefly considered a go-around but felt the safest course of action was to land as I could not see any objects or obstacles on the runway ahead. The Tower was queried with no explanation. Later the Ground Controller stated something about either 'bugs;' or 'birds.'I have never heard of professional grade pyrotechnics (display fireworks) being used to scare animals. Even if this is a common procedure the crew should be warned and the fireworks should not be set off so close to a runway that aircraft are landing on.
Air carrier flight crew reported that an airport was using fireworks to deter birds; causing a distraction on final approach.