FOD Explained - Small Debris, Big Risks

It’s an acronym that most people aren’t familiar with, yet it plays a critical role in aviation safety. It’s known as FOD – or Foreign Object Debris – and it refers to anything that poses a safety hazard to aircraft operations or personnel on the ground.

FOD could be as simple as loose napkins blowing in the wind, a bolt or piece of metal on a runway, or even wildlife remains, all of which can damage aircraft engines if ingested or run over by vehicles or aircraft tires.

A 2023 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) analysis found that globally, FOD causes more than $22 billion in damage, delays, cancellations and other ripple-effect costs.

FOD Walks For Safe Operations

That’s why Airports conduct FOD walks. They help detect, prevent and remove loose items and debris from runways, taxiways, ramps, baggage rooms and other parts of the airfield. Even grassy islands between runways can collect debris.

“FOD is something that everyone who walks onto the Air Operations Area needs to be aware of. Everyone has a role in FOD control,” said CLT Safety Management System (SMS) Operations Manager Logan Moran. “That includes making sure you don’t generate it in your work capacity and making it your duty to identify and report it.”

CLT conducts organized FOD walks in aircraft movement areas, led by CLT’s Safety Management System Team. Aviation Department employees volunteer and are provided with personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, pickers, eye/ear protection, and safety vests, as they meticulously walk designated sections of the airfield.

More informal inspections are conducted daily by Operations staff. CLT’s Risk, Safety & Health team conducts checks of the non-movement areas, often in collaboration with Airport tenants and airlines.

A special FOD walk is also held in preparation for the FAA’s annual Part 139 inspection.

“We find a lot of paper, like napkins and rubber gloves, blown all the way up to the center of the airfield,” said CLT Risk, Safety & Health Coordinator Frank Lopez. “FOD is even in the baggage make-up areas; there are always zippers and small metal pieces that come from the tugs and luggage that make their way onto the ramp.”

Weighing In

Items collected are then tracked and weighed. A FOD walk in March collected 246 pounds of FOD. The most recent, in May, on Concourse A, resulted in nearly 65 pounds of FOD. Tracked Item information is then reported to the FAA.

“FOD is something that can be easily addressed if you know what to do,” added Lopez. “It’s something that in my mind is very preventable. These walks help bring everyone together so they understand the implications of not picking up FOD.”