As a former jet mechanic who did plenty of FOD walkdowns, the issue is well known.
If there was construction, and no process in place to evaluate the surface of the runway for FOD before clearing flights to use that runway, then it is criminal neglect that could have resulted in death, not just damage to engines.
What I am wondering is...why just British Airways? Didn’t other airlines use that runway system during that time?
What I am wondering is...why just British Airways? Didn’t other airlines use that runway system during that time?
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Good question. Perhaps those were taxiways only used by BA, but I would want to inspect every aircraft that rolled over that section of tarmac.
Roger. The first thing I thought of when I read the headline was, “Do they not do FOD walks?” I wasn’t a jet mechanic, but an electronics contractor working for the Air Force and its contractors, and even I knew about the dangers of FOD to jet engines.