Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 132.35; Flight Crew Total 3716.95; Flight Crew Type 132.35
Distraction; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft
General None Reported / Taken
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Procedure
On date; I was informed that I flew an aircraft with un-reported tail strike damage.  The flight in question was Aircraft X.  I don't remember very many specifics from my walk around.  I showed up to the airport in ZZZ a little early that day because my spouse had traveled to ZZZ with me on the overnight and she was leaving on a slightly earlier flight.  The Captain and I ended up meeting up at KCM [Known Crew Member] to begin our day.  I was slightly delayed getting through security due to no one attending the KCM station and then being selected for random screening.  I don't recall feeling rushed though as a result.  If I recall correctly; it was a sunny or partly cloudy day; and I almost always wear sunglasses during daylight hours.  One threat that occurs is due to Airlines mask wearing policy.  While wearing a mask and sun glasses on a walk around; the lenses become fogged often-creating a visibility issue.  I am constantly battling this issue on clear; sunny days.  Performing multiple walk around a day and per trip; I am having a tough time recalling what the ramp conditions were like with regards to belt loaders and ground equipment around the airplane.  I do recognize the threat that dodging ground equipment and vehicles and other equipment around the airplane opens the door for distractions and the potential to miss important items on the walk around.
I was notified by flight operations that the aircraft I flew on this flight had experienced a tail strike 2 flights prior to this flight that subsequently went unnoticed for a total of X additional flights including this flight.  I did not perform a walk around inspection on this flight but the First Officer did.  I do not recall a rushed departure as evidenced by the fact that we pushed 8 minutes prior to schedule but the First Officer did get selected for random additional screening that morning upon going through KCM [Known Crew Member].  I stopped on my way to the aircraft to get something to eat.  The delay from the random screening as well as the fact that I did not arrive at the flight deck until approximately 25 minutes prior to scheduled departure may have caused the F/O to feel rushed when he did the walk around inspection; I am not sure.
Air carrier flight crew reported being advised the aircraft had a reported tail strike that they had not noticed; and distractions from wearing masks to do required checks.