FOD AND MAINTENANCE COSTS
The effect of Foreign Object Debris (FOD) on maintenance costs can be significant. For example, the cost to repair a FOD-damaged engine can easily exceed $1 million. FOD can also incur extensive indirect costs, including:

  • Flight delays and cancellations, leading to a loss of customers.
  • Schedule disruptions caused by the need to reposition airplanes and crews.
  • Potential liability because of injury.
  • Additional work for airline management and staff.

The cost of repairing FOD damage to an engine can easily exceed 20 percent of its original purchase price.

Purchase cost of MD-11 engine $8-10 million
Purchase cost of MD-80 engine $3-4 million
MD-11 engine overhaul to correct FOD damage $500,000-1.6 million
MD-80 engine overhaul to correct FOD damage $250,000-1.0 million
MD-11 fan blades (per set*) $25,000
MD-80 fan blades (per set*) $7,000
*Fan blades are balanced and replaced as a set.

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