B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 183
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Airport; Aircraft; Procedure
As we pulled into the gate area; we both looked closely at the Safety Zone; our aircraft was a scimitar equipped -800 and it appeared clear. The Ramp Agent had Wing Walkers and wands. We followed the Ramp Agent's guidance closely and parked directly and right on the spot.After setting the parking brake and shutting down; the First Officer noticed the Wing Walker trying to communicate something. After the completion of our Parking Checklist; I went down to the ramp to investigate. Apparently the nose cone of our aircraft had made contact with the top of a pushback tug. Maintenance and Dispatch were notified.The Marshalling Ramp Agent needs to walk to the back-end of Safety Zone to double check that no part of the pushback tug hangs over the line; before focusing attention upon guiding the aircraft in on the line. All Company pushback tugs need to have a flag installed on the front so we know their exact location at eye level.
B737 Captain reported that the nose cone of the aircraft made contact with a tug.