Current Airport Inspection Practices Regarding FOD (Foreign Object Debris/Damage). Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Synthesis 26. A Synthesis of Airport Practice

摘要

Foreign Object Debris (FOD) exists in many different forms, comes from many different sources, and can be found anywhere on an airport's Air Operations Area (AOA). FOD can cause damage to aircraft in the form of torn or punctured tires, punctured airframes, nicked turbine or propeller blades, and, in rare instances, even engine failure. FOD can also cause injury to airport employees as debris are propelled by jet blast, prop, or rotor wash. Whether in the form of a fuel cap, luggage tag, concrete chunk, or animal, FOD directly costs the U.S. aviation industry $474 million annually and the global aviation industry $1.26 billion annually. Direct plus indirect costs, such as flight delays, cost the U.S. aviation industry $5.2 billion annually and the global aviation industry $13.9 billion annually. Owing to the propensity of FOD to cause such extensive and costly damage, detecting and removing FOD from an airport's AOA is an extremely critical task for ensuring safety. As stated by E. Miart of Eurocontrol, 'Runway safety cannot be understood without addressing FOD.'