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Runway and Taxiway FOD Inspection Log

Runway and taxiway FOD inspection practice for airport self-inspections, with log templates built for recording what was found, what was done and where problems recur.
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10

Pages

11

Sections

12

Months Records Kept (139.327)

4

Printable Logs and Records

Runway and Taxiway FOD Inspection Log cover

About the Runway and Taxiway FOD Inspection Log

Reviewed by Trent Powell, Founder, FODBag · Reviewed: November 10, 2026

Quick answer: Runways and taxiways are where foreign object debris meets aircraft at high speed. A fragment of pavement, a lost fastener or a piece of construction material in the path of a departing aircraft can be ingested by an engine or cut a tire. Airport self-inspections are the primary defense against FOD on the runway, and the record of those inspections shows what was found, what was done and where problems keep recurring.

Who it is for: Airport operations managers, airfield inspectors, operations supervisors, FOD program managers and FOD committee members at certificated and general aviation airports.

Important: This guide is an educational resource. It does not replace 14 CFR Part 139, your Airport Certification Manual (ACM), FAA advisory circulars, air traffic control instructions, or your airport’s procedures for movement-area access, NOTAMs, and self-inspection. Always follow the procedures approved for your airport.
Airport runway with foreign object debris highlighting aviation safety concerns

What’s Inside the Guide

Eleven sections, from regulatory context to monthly trend notes for the FOD committee.

Regulatory and Guidance Context

A plain-language summary of 14 CFR 139.305 and 139.327, AC 150/5210-24A and AC 150/5200-18D as they apply to airfield FOD inspection.

Where Runway FOD Comes From

Movement-area locations prone to FOD from AC 150/5210-24A, including the takeoff portion of the runway, deteriorating pavement and joints.

Inspection Frequency Planning

Daily self-inspection, nighttime inspection, before the first air carrier operation, and construction, weather and post-incident inspections.

Inspection Technique

Two or more passes where possible; for a single pass, drive opposite the direction of landing aircraft where practical, with beacon and headlights on.

Recording Finding Locations

Runway segment and lateral zone (centerline, keel, edge, shoulder) and taxiway designators, so finds can be compared and mapped.

Removal, Escalation and Forms

Removal, disposal and escalation per your ACM, plus an inspection log, location grid, removal record and monthly trend notes.

Key Practices From the Guide

A short preview of what the guide covers in depth.

Follow Part 139 and your ACM first
14 CFR 139.305 requires prompt removal of debris and foreign objects from paved areas, and 139.327 sets the self-inspection program. Follow your ACM, ATC instructions and movement-area procedures.
Plan frequency beyond the baseline
Add inspections where your FOD risk assessment and findings justify them, including construction, weather and post-incident inspections.
Use more than one pass
AC 150/5210-24A states the most effective runway inspection uses two or more passes, which narrows the width each pass must cover.
Inspect the takeoff portion with particular care
Departing aircraft are most susceptible to FOD damage on the takeoff portion of the runway, according to AC 150/5210-24A.
Record location consistently
Use runway segment and lateral zone, or taxiway and intersection designators, so finds from different inspectors can be compared and runway FOD trends mapped.
Escalate when FOD cannot be removed promptly
Notify operations and affected operators, follow your ACM for reporting, closing the area and NOTAMs as required, and dispose of FOD in designated containers.

How to Use This Guide

  • Use Sections 1 and 2 to understand the requirements and where runway and taxiway FOD comes from.
  • Use Sections 3 and 4 to plan inspection frequency and technique.
  • Use Sections 5 and 6 to record locations and handle removal, disposal and escalation.
  • Use the logs, grid and trend notes in Sections 7 to 10 as working records or a starting point for your own controlled forms.

Before You Start

  1. Confirm the inspection schedule and procedures in your ACM.
  2. Set the location reference system for every runway and taxiway.
  3. Train inspectors on movement-area access and radio communication.
  4. Agree removal and escalation steps for FOD that cannot be removed promptly.
  5. Set where logs are kept, for at least 12 consecutive calendar months.
  6. Decide what trend summary goes to the FOD committee each month.

Forms in the Toolkit

  • Runway and Taxiway FOD Inspection Log (Section 7)
  • Finding Location Grid (Section 8)
  • Removal and Disposal Record (Section 9)
  • Monthly Trend Notes for the FOD Committee (Section 10)

By FODBag.com · Updated November 10, 2026

Reviewed by Trent Powell, Founder, FODBag · Reviewed: November 10, 2026

Runway and Taxiway FOD Log Playbook: Where to Look, What to Record, How Long to Keep It

Quick answer: On runways and taxiways, inspect at least daily and after events, look first where FOD collects, record what you found, where and its likely source, and keep the records at least two years. FAA guidance says pavement joints are main sources of ingested objects and the takeoff portion of a runway is where departing aircraft are most susceptible.

This playbook shows what to look for on movement areas and how to keep a log that supports trends. It uses FAA AC 150/5210-24A and works a one-week log example with checked arithmetic. The counts are invented and the log layout is a FODBag suggestion. Inspection procedures for your airport come from your airport certification manual and FAA self-inspection guidance, which were not opened here.

Read this first. AS9146 and NAS 412 are paid aerospace standards. This page does not reproduce them and does not cite them by clause number. IAQG SCMH 3.4.2 Rev. D (June 19, 2023) is public guidance in support of AS9146. Use the current authorized edition of whatever standard your contract names; your approved procedures decide the controls.

What the opened source says

FAA AC 150/5210-24A says the portion of the runway used for takeoff is where departing aircraft are most susceptible to FOD damage, that deteriorating pavement can spall and crack, that service roads crossing taxiways should be monitored closely, that unpaved shoulders should be stabilized, that pavement joints and cracks are the main sources of foreign objects which are ingested, and that turf areas and fence-lines collect trash that can blow back (FAA AC 150/5210-24A, 4.3.1.1.1). It states operational areas are inspected at least once each day, with additional inspections in construction areas and after incidents or spills (FAA AC 150/5210-24A, 4.3.2.1). It recommends recording how FOD was detected, when, a description, location, possible source and who found it (FAA AC 150/5210-24A, 6.1.1), and says records should be kept in sufficient detail for at least 2 years (FAA AC 150/5210-24A, 6.1.4).

Inspection log fields

  1. Date, time and inspector.
  2. Area inspected: runway, taxiway, shoulder, crossing.
  3. What was found: category, size, color, and whether removed.
  4. Where: location reference on the airfield.
  5. Possible source and action: and who was told.

Where to look first

Start at pavement joints, cracks, service road crossings and the takeoff end. After wind, check fence-lines and turf. After construction work, check the haul routes.

If FOD cannot be removed promptly

Report it to airport operations right away so the area can be restricted or marked according to your airport procedures, and record the time and action.

Worked example: a week of runway and taxiway findings

This example is illustrative, not data from a real airport:

Where found Items
Pavement joints and cracks 5
Service road crossing 3
Shoulder edge 2
Other 2
Total in 7 daily inspections 12; 12 ÷ 7 = 1.7 per inspection
Records kept at least 2 years 2 × 365 = 730 daily entries

Check: 5 + 3 + 2 + 2 = 12 items; 12 ÷ 7 = 1.7 per inspection; 2 × 365 = 730 daily entries kept at minimum. Pavement joints lead, so the operator adds joint cleaning to the maintenance plan and compares next week’s log.

What good looks like

  • Daily and event-driven inspections are logged.
  • Entries show what, where and likely source.
  • Hot spots such as joints and crossings are checked first.
  • Records are kept at least two years.
  • Trends feed maintenance planning.

Matching FODBag products and resources

Products that support airfield FOD work: FOD cans; FOD bags; belt pouches; FOD signs; clear bags.

About FODBag. FODBag.com, a Powell Pack Products company in Mesa, Arizona, has made FOD bags, FOD tape, FOD stickers, FOD signs, FOD posters, FOD cans and FOD containers since 2016. FOD tape is 2 in × 108 ft and FOD signs start at $29.99. Questions? Call 602-874-1313, Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Arizona time.

Sources opened for this page

  1. FAA Advisory Circular 150/5210-24A, Airport Foreign Object Debris (FOD) Management (February 8, 2024) — Sections 4.3.1.1.1, 4.3.2.1, 6.1.1 and 6.1.4. Opened and read for this page on November 10, 2026.

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  • 10-page log pack (PDF)
  • Part 139 and FAA guidance summary
  • Inspection frequency, technique and location method
  • Inspection log, location grid, removal record and trend notes

Free for internal organizational use. Educational resource from FODBag.com, a Powell Pack Products company. Questions? Call 602-874-1313.

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Related Reading

Go deeper on the topics in the Runway and Taxiway FOD Inspection Log.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What causes FOD on the runway?

AC 150/5210-24A lists FOD-prone locations and conditions such as the takeoff portion of the runway, deteriorating pavement with spalling and cracking, and pavement joints, along with lost hardware and construction material.

How often are runways inspected for FOD?

14 CFR 139.327 requires daily self-inspections unless the ACM states otherwise, plus inspections when unusual conditions such as construction or weather may affect safe operations and immediately after an accident or incident.

How should a runway FOD inspection be driven?

AC 150/5210-24A states the most effective inspection uses two or more passes. With time for one pass, drive opposite the direction of landing aircraft where practical, with beacon and headlights on.

How long must runway inspection records be kept?

Part 139 self-inspection records are kept for at least 12 consecutive calendar months.

What should you do if FOD on the runway cannot be removed promptly?

Follow your ACM procedures for reporting, closing the area and issuing NOTAMs as required, and notify operations and affected operators.

What causes FOD on the runway?

FAA AC 150/5210-24A lists deteriorating pavement, construction debris, items carried by vehicles from aprons and service roads, shoulders, pavement joints and cracks, turf and fence-line trash (section 4.3.1.1.1).

How often are runways inspected for FOD?

FAA AC 150/5210-24A says operational areas are inspected at least once each day, with additional inspections in construction areas and after incidents or spills (section 4.3.2.1).

How long must runway inspection records be kept?

FAA AC 150/5210-24A says records should be maintained in sufficient detail for at least 2 years (section 6.1.4).