EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Aircraft
During deicing procedures in the deicing area; we were informed that a fuel cap had been found on the ground by our aircraft. A few minutes later it was determined that the fuel cap had been knocked to the ground by deice spray; and had previously been sitting on our wing.I asked the deice crew to pass the cap through the cockpit window; and we returned to the gate where I was able to determine that it was; in fact; the fuel cap for our aircraft. I called Maintenance; who ensured the cap was serviceable and reinstalled it. We then fueled; deiced; and departed.This was a case of gross negligence on the part of fueling personal. Not only should the fueler have informed us of the disconnected fuel cap chain; but leaving it on the wing presented a severe safety hazard. Under the right conditions the cap could have been ingested by our #2 engine.I related the incident and my concerns to the fuel supervisor; who I hope will take corrective action on this matter.
A fuel cap retaining chain was disconnected and the cap was found on the wing of the aircraft. When deicing; the cap was knocked off the wing. Maintenance reinstalled the cap.