A321
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Fuel Issue
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft; Human Factors
During preflight in bitterly cold ZZZ; the FO (First Officer) completed the walk around as snow began to fall. The flaps were full down from the previous flight. She came to the cockpit and informed me that the flaps were clear of debris and asked if we should retract them for the deicing we would need after start. I agreed we should; and we did. Unbeknownst to us; the fueling of the aircraft began during this time and we didn't notice as we retracted the flaps. Just before pushback; ramp informed us that Maintenance was checking the refueling door on the wing; as it was damaged. This was our first indication that we may have damaged the door during flap retraction. Later on; maintenance personnel came to the flight deck and told us of the problem and that we would be swapping aircraft due to this.Cold weather operations; delayed fueling; miscommunication and worsening weather all contributed to this event.Don't touch the flap handle until all preflight items are complete before pushback regardless of weather conditions.
A321 flight crew reported fueling door damaged during flight retraction at gate.