Which statement best describes foreign object damage (FOD) occurrence?

• A. Debris from runways or taxiways can cause FOD during ground operations.
• B. The ingestion of ice and birds can cause FOD in flight.
• C. FOD only occurs during maintenance.
• D. Debris from runways or taxiways can cause FOD during ground operations, and ingestion of ice and birds can cause FOD in flight.

Answer: (D)

FOD can occur in two main ways: from objects on the ground during operations and from objects ingested or encountered in flight. Debris on runways or taxiways can be picked up by tires or sucked into engine intakes, causing damage during taxi, takeoff, or landing. In flight, ingestion of ice or birds can damage engines or strike the aircraft, leading to power loss or other issues. The best statement is the one that recognizes both sources—ground debris causing FOD during ground operations and ingestion of ice and birds causing FOD in flight. The other options are incomplete because they cover only one scenario or claim FOD occurs only in maintenance, which isn’t accurate.