ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Foreign Object Damage

Okay kiddo, so when you’re playing outside, you might accidentally step on a rock or a stick and it hurts, right? Well, airplanes have a similar problem when they fly in the sky. Sometimes, they can fly into things like birds, debris or little bits of metal from the runway. It’s called Foreign Object Damage (FOD)!

Now, this might seem like a small issue, but it can actually cause big problems for planes. If an airplane engine sucks in FOD, it can damage it and cause the plane to lose power or even crash. It can also create small scratches or dents on the outside of the plane, which can weaken the structure.

So, to prevent foreign object damage, airports have rules and tools in place. They do regular checks on the runway to make sure it’s free from debris, and airport staff picks up any litter or objects they find. They also make sure there are no stray animals or birds that could cause damage. Planes themselves also have special filters and screens to prevent FOD from entering the engine.

It’s important to remember that even small things can cause big problems, just like how a small rock can cause a big hurt on your foot. So, we need to be careful and mindful of our surroundings to avoid foreign object damage.