Citation X (C750)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter FOD
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Weather; Aircraft
While performing a postflight inspection; I was carrying a golf umbrella as there was moderate to heavy rain occurring at the time. The postflight was being performed at night so I had a flashlight in one hand and the umbrella in the other. After coming around the back outboard side of the right engine; I proceeded to inspect the aft right side of the fuselage; moving in a forward direction. As I went to inspect the underside of the right pylon; I looked upward. In doing this; the umbrella was tilted aft over my shoulder so I could see above me. The air intake to the APU; on the right side of the fuselage; provided enough suction to pull the umbrella up against the protective screen. I pulled the umbrella away immediately but the force of the umbrella being pulled into the protective screen resulted in the dislocation of the forward lower section; bottom section and approximately one-half of the rear section of the protective screen from its housing. I contacted maintenance about the event and filled out the aircraft log. Be aware of where you are on your preflight/postflight when utilizing an umbrella!
CE750 Captain reports having his umbrella sucked up against the APU air intake during a night post flight inspection in the rain. The inlet screen is damaged.