Flight Crew Last 90 Days 225
Troubleshooting; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Procedure
Prior to departure; was notified by the ramp that there was damage to the right hand horizontal stabilizer. After I looked at it; Dispatch and Maintenance Control were notified and a logbook entry was made. I can only assume the damage happened on the ground because the First Officer noticed no discrepancies on his walk-around when we first picked the aircraft up. After Contract Maintenance inspected the aircraft; it was determined that the aircraft could only be ferried. We changed planes and continued to (city). If the aircraft was in fact damaged by ground equipment; the Ground Ops people should have notified us immediately of the damage.
Aircraft horizontal stabilizer damage noted by Ramper prior to pushback. I performed a walk-around prior to departure and noted no damage to horizontal stab.
A Ramp Operations person discovered a damaged B737-700 horizontal stabilizer prior to push back but the First Officer noted no damage during his walkaround so the aircraft was grounded for a ferry flight.