B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 279
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter FOD
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure
While conducting a preflight for the first flight of the day; a large crowbar/tool was found in the forward section of the left main wheel well. It was in a difficult location to find; just under a hydraulic line; and a one-way check valve. Upon arrival in DEN; Maintenance was contacted there and the tool turned over to a mechanic. He said he would give it to his Supervisor. I have some pictures I can email.
During the exterior preflight inspection on an originating flight; the FO (First Officer) found a pry bar tool in the left wheel well. It was located in the recessed area between the wheel well light switch and the forward wheel well wall. No maintenance had been performed on the aircraft overnight. It is likely the pry bar had been there for at least several legs. Since ZZZ is a contract maintenance base; I delivered the pry bar to maintenance personnel at our next destination.
B737 flight crew reported finding a large crowbar in the wheel well during preflight.