Based on Iain McCreary’s Runway Safety: FOD, Birds, and the Case for Automated Scanning (2010), we conservatively estimate gate foreign object debris currently damages two (2) aircraft tires per 100,000 movements.
Direct and Indirect FOD Expenses
Type and Locale Breakdown
Engine + Tire FOD Strikes (All Locations)
Tire FOD Strike Rate (80%) at Ramp Area (20%)
Ramp Area Debris Causing Damage to Tire (33%)
Total tire savings amount to approximately $30,000 in 2026.
This is calculated based on our estimate of two tire replacements needed per 100k aircraft movements and expenses stated in McCreary’s 2010 findings showing total FOD expense per tire amounts to $9,855.
At $9,855 each, total tire savings amount to $19,710 or $29,171 adjusting for inflation.
FOD Damage:
Direct Cost
Indirect Cost (assume 0.5x direct)
Total FOD Expense
Strikes per 10k movements:
*Conservative assumptions: Gate FOD and aircraft tire damage only. Any engine damage has been excluded.
4.00
0.64
0.21
Cost per Tire:
$6,570
$3,285
$9,855