B757-200
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft; Human Factors
After normal takeoff during climb through about 11;000 we heard and felt a pressurization bump. Cabin altitude was climbing and approaching 10;000. We leveled near 14;000 MSL; and then executed a descent back to 10;000 MSL. [We] received Cabin Altitude alert while leveling at 10;000. Complied with QRH; contacted Operations and decided to return to our departure airport. On post flight I noted a ruptured panel and scrape on underside of rear fuselage.I think I missed the damage on preflight. I think the damage on post flight was probably more evident than the preflight due to panel that may have ruptured during flight hanging down/not flush.
Following a return to their departure airport due to the failure of the aircraft to pressurize the flight crew of a B757-200 discovered scrapes and a blown out panel on the aft lower fuselage.