What is a common preflight check to ensure there are no foreign objects in the landing gear well?

• A. Visual inspection of cockpit instruments only
• B. Check that access doors close properly
• C. Visual inspection of the gear wells and doors for debris or tool marks, and ensure access doors close properly
• D. Inspect engine nacelles for bird nests

Answer: (C)

A key safeguard against foreign object damage is directly checking the landing gear area. The best preflight check is a visual inspection of the gear wells and doors for debris or tool marks, and confirming that access doors close properly. This matters because loose objects or maintenance tools left in the gear wells can be drawn into moving components during retraction or extension, causing damage to actuators, hydraulic systems, or the gear itself. Seeing debris or tool marks signals that the area needs attention before flight, while ensuring the access doors latch and sit properly confirms there are no gaps for objects to hide or fall out. The other checks don’t address the gear well specifically: looking only at cockpit instruments ignores the physical area where FOD can accumulate, inspecting only door closure misses debris, and checking engine nacelles targets a different area and won’t guarantee the gear well is clear.