Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Type 3878
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors; Aircraft
When I arrived at the aircraft; my FO (First Officer) advised me that the flap indicator showed full down flaps with the addition of the yellow hyd pump switch 'ON.' My FO went down onto the ramp to check out the situation. He confirmed the flaps were in full down position. He also indicated to me that there appeared to be no mechanical work being done. We contacted Maintenance and they verified that there was no maintenance issue with the aircraft. At that time; I communicated with ground personnel to see if it was cleared to raise flaps. However; with all the activity around the aircraft; including refueling; it was not safe to raise flaps. I elected at that time; not to raise flaps until the area cleared.Unfortunately; I was informed just prior to push time; that the refueling truck struck a flap fairing when departing. The incident cause a 3 1/2 hour delay.
Arriving to the aircraft at the gate; I noticed that the flaps were lowered to the full position and the electric yellow hydraulic pump was on. I immediately went to do the exterior aircraft inspection to determine if maintenance was working in the aircraft. Seeing no abnormal action outside the aircraft; I contacted Maintenance and asked if they had any active action going on with the aircraft that would have the flaps in any position besides up. They did not so I turned off the yellow hydraulic pump and then we checked with the ground crew to see if the flaps were clear for retraction. Ground crew stated there was action under the wing and so we decided to wait until complete. Shortly thereafter; we were notified that the fueler's truck had hit the wing. I went down and checked the wing and found a dent on a flap track fairing on the right wing. Maintenance was notified and inspection began. From that point; we followed Maintenance instruction while waiting for guidance on whether the aircraft will be repaired or we will go to a spare.
Air carrier flight crew reported a fuel truck struck their wing and damaged a flap fairing causing a delay.