Originally Posted by
tdracer
I guess 40 years experience working high bypass turbine engines, and 25 years on the Boeing Propulsion Safety Board means I don't understand what safety is.
Leaving FOD in the inlet is certainly bad, but it's quite a stretch to say a single clipboard was going to cause an accident. The engine is certified to keep operating after taking 6 large birds going 200+ knots - all at the same time. A clipboard sucked out of the inlet is far less challenging to the engine.
On the other hand I sucked in a crow (classified as one small bird?) on a 737-400 and the engine needed two new fan blades. No accident, In fact no change to engine parameters and damage not confirmed until looking at the engine after landing but a reduction in safety for sure.