Date: 201908
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ERI.Airport, PA
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Night
Aircraft: EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Final Approach
Airspace: Class D ERI
ATC / advisory: Tower ERI
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Distraction; Other / Unknown; Situational Awareness
Anomaly: Inflight Event / Encounter Object
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Contributing factors: Human Factors
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: We were cleared for the visual approach Runway 24 into ERI on the downwind. We turned base at about 5 miles out. At approximately 3-4 miles out as we were turning onto final; we saw a firework shot up that seemed to be just off to the right of the approach path; though we weren't sure how close it actually was to the airport or approach path. It was followed a few seconds later by a second firework. We discussed it; and monitored the area as we continued the approach. No further fireworks were shot off as we continued. At about 200-300 ft.; another firework went off at our altitude just off our nose on the right side; the outermost piece of firework coming within maybe 50-100 ft. off of our right wing. I maintained the aircraft in a stable approach condition and landed. Upon landing we reported the incident to the Tower; who asked for details of where it had happened and contacted airport and local police. At the gate; no passengers told us about it nor were overheard talking about it during deplaning. Our post flight inspection revealed no damage or signs of impact of scorching. As we left the secure area we were met by airport and local police who asked for a few more details; including how close and at what altitude the firework had gone off; as well as my contact information for their report. They also notified us that they had found the person who had set off the fireworks; had stopped any further firework activity; and had firmly discussed with that person their decision to set off fireworks near the airport. According to the local police officer; a person living near the airport shot a firework off from their property during our approach. I initially started a small (maybe 2 degree) bank away from the firework and ever so slightly decreased my descent; but immediately decided that the best course of action would be to maintain a stable approach and get the aircraft on the ground; and so continued the approach and landing. We then reported it to the Tower. I do wonder if there was anything more we could have reasonably done to avoid this situation. I am certain that if the Tower had seen any fireworks that would have posed a threat to us they would have notified us. The two we had seen while turning onto the final were difficult to determine just where exactly or how far they were; even from our elevated position. At that point; those two had been an isolated event and we did not see any further evidence of additional fireworks as we continued. So I don't know that it would have been warranted to discontinue the approach and fly a pattern with that information alone (though of course; in hindsight; if there had been a way of knowing that the person would shoot off another firework and that it would be close to the approach path; I would definitely have circled until they were done and allowed law enforcement to secure the approach path first.) The timing of that last firework does seem unfortunate as well; that person probably should have been able to see us as we had all of our lighting on; and maybe even have heard us. They also had to have known that airplanes frequently fly low overhead.




Synopsis: Emb- 145 Captain reported encountering firework activity on final.