OPNAV 4790.2H, Volume V, Chapter 12 states, "An effective FOD Prevention Program which identifies, corrects, and eliminates causal factors is a command responsibility and must be part of the maintenance program."
Through the daily grind of naval aviation, we have measures in place for maintaining a solid FOD control program. Ritualistic daily walking of the flight line or flight deck is at the forefront of our efforts to ensure we have a FOD-free environment for safe operations. The items found during these FOD walkdowns are analyzed with hopes of identifying their origin. We also want to stop these items from being introduced on our flight lines. Poor maintenance actions and poor housekeeping account for the majority of all the items identified; but when have you ever thought of your aircraft as being the "culprit?"
For this carrier-based Seahawk squadron, the discovery of mysterious ball bearings began during one of our many work-up periods before cruise. They started turning up on the deck in and around the "helo hole" abeam the island. Now, finding one ball bearing may not raise an eyebrow, but finding ball bearings on several occasions definitely intrigued us. The guesswork began.
Were they from the Support Equipment around the helicopters? What about a ratchet? Our search for the origin of these bearings ultimately led us to a very unlikely suspect-the helicopter itself! Tucked up in the sliding cabin door and window tracks were the ball bearings in question. The design of the sliding track is simple: Punch a hole through a bracket with two prongs sticking out and crimp them down over the ball bearing. Voila! Now you have a rolling surface!
This squadron has identified the source of the FOD, as the beginning reference stated, but is still working with COMNAVAIRSYSCOM on a corrective measure to eliminate this problem. The bottom line is to remember that FOD leaves a trail that may lead to a least-expected source.
AMC Eckert wrote this story while assigned to maintenance control at HS-4. |
