Foreign Object Debris and Damage (FOD) Prevention

Overview

A vendor-neutral foreign object debris and damage (FOD) prevention course for aircraft maintenance and manufacturing personnel — mechanics, inspectors, stores and ground staff, and contractors. It covers the two meanings of FOD and its consequences; the regulatory basis in M.A.402 and 145.A.48 and the FOD-prevention standards NAS 412, AS9146 and AS9100; the sources of FOD; tiered FOD prevention areas; clean-as-you-go and housekeeping (5S); tool, hardware and consumable accountability; parts protection and FOD barriers; personal-item, dress and access control; engine, intake and flight-line operations; and the lost-item, reporting and investigation process. Concludes with a 75% multiple-choice examination.

Course content is maintained against the latest applicable regulatory amendments reviewed as of 21 June 2026.

Syllabus

12 modules, completed in order — each with its keywords and objective.

1. 1

   Welcome and course scope

   scopeaudiencestructureassessment

   Objective: Orient to the FOD course scope, audience and assessment.

2. 2

   The two FODs: debris and damage

   foreign object debrisforeign object damagedefinitions

   Objective: Distinguish foreign object debris from foreign object damage.

3. 3

   Why FOD matters: the consequences

   consequencessafetycostengine damage

   Objective: Explain the safety and cost consequences of FOD.

4. 4

   The regulatory and standards basis

   M.A.402145.A.48NAS 412AS9146AS9100

   Objective: Identify the regulatory and standards basis for FOD prevention.

5. 5

   Where FOD comes from

   sources of FODmaterialspersonnelenvironment

   Objective: Recognise the common sources of FOD in maintenance and manufacturing.

6. 6

   FOD prevention areas

   FOD areastierscritical areascontrol

   Objective: Apply tiered FOD-prevention areas and their controls.

7. 7

   Clean as you go and housekeeping

   clean as you go5ShousekeepingFOD walk

   Objective: Apply clean-as-you-go and housekeeping (5S) to prevent FOD.

8. 8

   Tool control and accountability

   tool controlshadow boardsinventoryaccountability

   Objective: Apply tool control and accountability so tools never become FOD.

9. 9

   Hardware, consumables and parts protection

   hardware controlconsumablesparts protectioncovers

   Objective: Control hardware and consumables and protect parts from FOD.

10. 10

    Personal items, dress and access control

    personal itemsdress codeaccess controlloose articles

    Objective: Manage personal items, dress and access to reduce FOD risk.

11. 11

    Engines, intakes, flight line and ground operations

    engine intakeflight lineground opsingestion

    Objective: Apply FOD controls to engines, intakes and flight-line operations.

12. 12

    Lost items, reporting and your responsibilities

    lost itemreportinginvestigationresponsibilities

    Objective: Follow the lost-item, reporting and investigation process and know your responsibilities.

Final assessment

• Format: 12 multiple-choice questions drawn from the course question bank, with the options shuffled each attempt.
• Pass mark: 75%.
• Certificate: issued automatically on passing, according to EASA Part-M point M.A.402 and Part-145 point 145.A.48 (Regulation (EU) No 1321/2014), supported by the FOD-prevention standards NAS 412, AS9146 and AS9100.