EMB ERJ 135 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Procedure
Prior to departure the Ramp Agent notified the First Officer and I that he noticed some damage to the left wing [tip] fairing. After subsequent inspection by us; we concurred damage was present.  There didn't appear to be any evidence of the damage on the ramp area near the wing tip.  Recalling the previous flight the First Officer and I remembered feeling a slight movement of the aircraft consistent with the loading ramp disembarking from the aircraft.  I mentioned that to the First Officer and I thought nothing of it at the time. We dispatched and flew [this leg].  When the First Officer and I were looking at the damaged wing; he mentioned that he saw a fuel truck around the left wing around the time of the slight movement.  I honestly am not sure how or when the left wing got damaged.
Approximately 3 minutes prior to closing the door I noticed a slight movement of the aircraft. It was not jarring; nor was there any large noise associated with the movement. I did ask the Captain; 'What moved the aircraft?' He looked out his window and noted that the gate agents were moving the loading ramp off the aircraft. I looked out the door; and noticed a fuel truck which had been fueling the aircraft parked at the adjacent gate. The movement was not significant enough to prompt me or the Captain to do a second walk around. Nor did any of the ramp personnel; gate agents; Flight Attendant; or passengers who were on the aircraft notice that there may have been contact with the fuel truck; try and alert us that this had occurred. Prior to our next departure; a Ramp Agent came into the flight deck and inquired if either of us had noticed any damage to the left wing fairing. We followed the agent to the left wing and noticed a crack and the plastic was chipping off the wingtip; exposing the fiberglass underneath. It was noted by everyone that there was no plastic on the ground; also there was a concrete block next to the wingtip; making it impossible for any vehicle; or cart to hit the wingtip at that location. It is at that point I recalled the aircraft movement; and seeing the fuel truck previously. The Captain and I collectively decided that the fuel truck could have come in contact with the aircraft then; to cause this damage. Maintenance was called and Contract Maintenance was on the scene to asses the damage and decide the proper course of action to be taken. The flights were cancelled; so the repair could be made to the aircraft. When operating in close proximity to other aircraft; fuel trucks should have a Marshaller; to guide the trucks around aircraft.
ERJ flight crew describe the events surrounding the discovery of damage to the left wing tip by a Ramp Agent just prior to departure. The crew believes the damage may have occurred prior to the previous departure when a fuel truck was seen in the area.