Runway Debris Detection Systems Saves Lives

The Concorde crash a decade ago truly exposed the danger posed by Foreign Object Debris (FOD) on airport runways, and the damage one small component - 40 centimetres long, in this case - has the potential to cause.

The tragic events of July 2000 came back into focus at the start of December 2010, when French legal officials ruled that US carrier Continental Airlines was responsible for the crash, because one of its aircraft had left debris behind on Charles de Gaulle's runway. Had Concorde not encountered this debris, it may have remained in service until very recently.

Image Courtsey of Mark Broadbent

Concorde operators British Airways and Air France jointly announced the retirement of their fleets in April 2003 for several reasons: People were flying less often, in line with the economic downturn, and - then being over 30 years old - Concorde needed to undergo costly maintenance. That said, British Airways' Concorde fleet, at least, was licensed to keep on flying until 2009.

Acknowledging the factors cited by the airlines, without the crash, Concorde airport operations could have remained ongoing for several years after they ceased. Fast forward to the present day, and major airports including London Heathrow and Vancouver International are now benefiting from specialised runway debris detection technology.

Runway Debris Detection

QinetiQ's Tarsier automatic FOD detection system employs millimetre wave radar to constantly survey runway surfaces, and it can operate day and night. One single unit can cover a one kilometre stretch but since virtually every major airport's runway exceeds this length, Tarsier is usually deployed in pairs or trios. If Tarsier detects runway FOD, an alarm sounds and it highlights the debris' location. Accompanying imagery from the high spec camera confirms this location, while GPS data is fed out to airport staff to direct them to the debris site.

"Airports using the system have found a variety of items, including tools, fuel caps, suitcase wheels, grass, birds and wildlife. Sensitivities around the Tarsier system can be tailored to meet the individual needs of the airport relating to the type/size of FOD they typically want to detect", QinetiQ Airport Technologies Managing Director, Phil McLachlan, explained.

"Airports using the system such as London Heathrow and Vancouver International have come to rely on the system as an integral part of their day to day safety operation. Within a 12 month period at Vancouver, Tarsier identified and aided the removal of 293 pieces of FOD. 10% of these FOD finds were classed by the airport as ‘high risk' and one was deemed ‘potentially catastrophic'. On this occasion Tarsier identified a steel grounding wire, which left undetected, would have posed a significant threat to passenger safety.

No detection system is foolproof. However, the detection capability and constant surveillance provided by Tarsier could well have prevented the accident at Paris. It is a step change in managing a major airport risk, whilst simultaneously enhancing quality of service and safety management performance."

"The Tarsier system is an invaluable addition to the airside safety department's FOD management strategy, reducing the risk beyond that which is possible through manual inspections alone. It is an integral part of Heathrow's proactive approach to safety management." Neil Pritchard, Airside Operations Manager at London Heathrow

Runway debris surveillance has to be considered one of the most crucial aspects of modern airport safety procedures. It's not inconceivable to think that other firms will bring out systems similar to QinetiQ's Tarsier in months and years to come but, for now, Tarsier is being made even more powerful.