FOD Inspection Checklist

Record the specific area or zone being inspected, for example runway, taxiway, apron stand, hangar bay, workshop or ground support equipment compound.

Record the date, time and inspector, and confirm who has operational control of the area during the check.

Confirm the area was coordinated or cordoned with operations before it is walked where live traffic or aircraft movement is possible.

Note weather, lighting and surface conditions that affect the ability to see small debris.

Confirm the previous FOD inspection for this area was closed out and carry forward any open items.

Walk or drive the movement area and look for stones, metal fragments, bolts, wire, rubber and pavement fragments on the surface.

Check pavement joints, edges, shoulders and drainage grilles where debris collects.

Inspect for spalling, loose aggregate or debris generated by pavement breakup.

Check that painted markings and any adjacent construction areas are not shedding material onto the surface.

Record the exact location of any FOD found, for example the runway designator, taxiway, distance marker or a grid reference.

Inspect each stand, gate and parking position for debris before and after aircraft movement.

Check under and around the aircraft, on service roads and at equipment staging points for loose items.

Look for catering, cargo and baggage debris such as plastic wrap, strapping, labels and packaging.

Check fuel and de-icing areas for caps, seals and dropped hardware.

Confirm stands are swept or cleared on the required frequency and after each turnaround where required.

Inspect hangar floors, aircraft work zones and access platforms for dropped hardware and consumables.

Confirm lockwire offcuts, rivets, drill swarf, fasteners and safety wire are collected and not left near the aircraft.

Look for rags, gloves, tape, packaging and shop towels that could be drawn into intakes or left inside structures.

Check open aircraft panels, bays and intakes for tools or foreign objects before closure.

Confirm the area is cleaned after each shift and before the aircraft is moved or powered.

Confirm tools are inventoried and accounted for before and after the task using a shadow board, tool control log or equivalent.

Check for any missing, broken or unaccounted tool and start a search before the aircraft is closed or moved.

Verify consumables such as drill bits, blades, batteries and small parts are tracked and none are unaccounted for.

Confirm calibrated and borrowed tools are returned and signed back in.

Record any tool or item that cannot be located and the action taken.

Inspect GSE, tugs, dollies, steps and carts for loose parts, dropped hardware and leaking fluids that create FOD.

Check that panels, caps, pins and fasteners on GSE are secure and not shedding.

Confirm GSE parking and staging areas are clear of debris and cables are managed.

Look for worn tires, chains and straps that shed fragments onto the movement area.

Record any GSE defect that could generate FOD and remove the unit from service where needed.

Look for loose bolts, nuts, washers, rivets, safety wire and other hardware on surfaces and in equipment.

Check for packaging, plastic, banding, paper and material waste from stores and deliveries.

Confirm personal items such as badges, pens, phones, PPE and food wrappers are not left in operational areas.

Check that windblown debris from adjacent landside, construction or vegetation areas is controlled.

Record the type and likely source of each item found so the source can be addressed.

Confirm FOD bins and containers are provided, clearly marked, positioned where debris is generated and not overflowing.

Check that bins are emptied on the required frequency and their contents are reviewed to identify recurring sources.

Confirm work areas follow good housekeeping so debris does not accumulate between inspections.

Check that magnetic bars, sweepers or FOD carts, where used, are serviceable and used as scheduled.

Verify FOD awareness signage and reminders are in place and legible.

Remove or control each item of FOD found immediately and record what was removed and from where.

Record the location, type and suspected source of each finding with a photograph.

Assign an owner and due date for any corrective action that addresses the source, for example a shedding GSE unit or a construction area.

Escalate any FOD event that reached an engine, tire or aircraft for damage assessment.

Confirm any suspected foreign object damage to an aircraft or engine is reported through the maintenance and safety reporting process.

Re-inspect the area after removal to confirm it is clear.

Verify each assigned corrective action is completed and close it with evidence.

Review repeat findings and locations to target FOD prevention at the source.

Confirm the completed inspection is recorded, attributed and available for audit.

Check FOD trends across inspections to see whether rates are improving.