Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft
First flight of the day. Departed Runway XXL with a climb to the east/northeast/north; climbing through 10;500 MSL to FL230 and accelerating; reaching 280 KIAS I heard a 'Thump' associated with a wind rumble sound and vibration throughout the airframe and predominately in the flight controls; I immediately checked doors and pressurization; followed by all other aircraft systems. All indications normal. I stopped our climb at 14;000; called the flight attendant to verify noise and vibration in addition to cabin conditions. FA (Flight Attendant) heard the same sound; cabin conditions normal otherwise; I then contacted Dispatch and Maintenance via ACARS describing the conditions; [and] we mutually agreed a return to ZZZ was in our best interest. We notified Center we would be returning to the airport for a Non-Emergency precaution. We were given an immediate turn and descent; I addressed the passengers to let them know we would be returning to the airport as a precaution. Once parked at the gate we initiated a walk-around and discovered the right inboard flap linkage fairing had broken and separated from the airframe.
CRJ-200 Captain reported a flap fairing departed the aircraft during climbout resulting in a return to departure airport.