Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Time Pressure; Distraction; Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Aircraft
On a quick turn at ZZZ I closed out the flight and walked up to the terminal and spoke with the gate agent. I asked for number of passengers on the outbound flight among other things.When I walked back down the jetway; a ramper showed me a photo of the inside of the cargo door where a nut was missing. I acknowledged that I intended to write up the maintenance issue.I stopped in the forward galley to perform the Flight Attendant (FA) Briefing. It took longer due to side talking about FA's personal impact from COVID.I got the cockpit and prepared the plane for the next flight forgetting to write up the maintenance issue (cargo door missing nut). I did not make the First Officer aware of the issue. Quick turn. Distracted.Pilots should verify maintenance issues first hand at the time it is brought to their attention. Pilots should write up all maintenance issues prior to beginning next flight. Pilots should follow the write up with a call to maintenance.
Air Carrier Captain reported failure to enter a maintenance discrepancy in log book.  Captain was distracted due to an extended briefing with the Flight Attendants regarding the personal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.