Light plane pilot reported encountering airborne debris on short final to Runway 4 at LEX; probably related to jet blast from a departing commercial aircraft.
Synopsis
Light plane pilot reported encountering airborne debris on short final to Runway 4 at LEX; probably related to jet blast from a departing commercial aircraft.
Narrative
On final approach course for low approach Runway 4 at LEX I saw some type of debris gusting in the wind directly in front of me. I was very close to crossing over the threshold only a couple hundred feet away. I made the decision to descend in order to avoid hitting the debris. In that instant of decision making I chose descending because the Runway was directly in front of me (almost below me); Runway clear and I was already configured for landing. As I made the descent the debris seemed to move down with me and appeared to swirl; By the time it gusted to my left I was very close to the Runway. I safely touched down on the Runway and took back off. When this happened there was a commercial jet directly to my right on taxiway way holding short to take off Runway 4. Also a jet had just taken off in front of me which I believe caused the gusting wind to make the debris float around. I believe the debris to be something like a small piece of plastic but I couldn't completely know for sure because it was so small I was almost right up on it before noticing. The reason I filed this report was for the FAA to possibly consider giving more space/distance to small aircraft behind large aircraft for wake turbulence reasons that may stir up any debris or objects. The situation was safe because the action I took but could have been dangerous if I would have hit the debris and damaged the aircraft; obstructed the windshield or had crashed. Especially with a jet holding short the same Runway just in front of me to the right. Also possibly the FAA could enforce construction workers and airport related businesses to properly dispose of trash around the airport to avoid possibilities of airborne debris. Thanks for your time in listening to my concern.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.