What is a key measure to decrease the risk of damage due to foreign object damage (FOD)?

• A. Inspect inlet screens on turboprop and turboshaft engines to ensure they are not damaged.
• B. Inspect the tail rotor only.
• C. Rely on memory for debris checks.
• D. Ignore debris if the engine is cool.

Answer: (A)

Regular inspection of engine intake screens is a vital step in reducing FOD risk. In turboprop and turboshaft engines, the inlet screens catch loose debris before it can enter the compressor or turbine, protecting critical rotating parts. Damaged, missing, or clogged screens can allow objects to bypass the protection or disrupt airflow, increasing the chance of FOD damage. So during preflight or engine ground checks, inspect these screens for dents, tears, corrosion, or missing mesh and replace as needed. Other options miss the mark because they ignore the engine intake protection, rely on memory for debris checks, or assume debris isn’t an issue when the engine is cool.