Propwash72

I think I know which direction I'm going with this but I'm interested in other perspectives.

About a year ago I was prepping for a turn when the lav truck backed into the aircraft and punched a hole in a fiberglass fairing. The FO had already done his walkaround so we didn't know what had happened.

Unfortunately, when the FO did his postflight he missed the damage...expectation bias at work.

We found out about the damage when we returned to base and were met by the gate agent, who told us we had an MX issue and were swapping airplanes. The driver never came forward but security cameras caught the incident on tape.

After a brief conversation with a CP and an ALPA lawyer I filed all the required reports. Never heard anything about the incident again.

I've done a PRIA check and there's nothing in the database.

Should this be on my job apps as an incident?

rickair7777

Technically yes it is an incident. Obviously not your fault the first leg, second leg starts to reflect more on you... you don't want to just blame the FO, probably the lesson learned was as a CA setting the tone for a more detailed approach to walk-arounds.

Yes, this could delay your interview call because the computer will sort the app lower. Alternative is the risk that they find out somehow, maybe they'd let it slide I don't know.

TiredSoul

For once I don’t agree with rickair.
Accident or Incident are in my opinion when the aircraft is moving under its own power while you are piloting it.
Being pushed back into another airplane? A catering truck ding in your wing? A fuel truck in your cowling?
A lav truck hitting a fairing?
None of that and a brazilian more should not end up on your “pilot” record.

B727DRVR

I agree with TiredSoul on this one... Your career shouldn’t be damaged because you were sitting on the toilet near the gate when the catering truck hit you. Who knows if you were sitting in the Captain’s seat or not when you were hit? You can always bring this up in an in person interview in the “tell me what you learned from this” section of the interview, but why risk getting filtered out on an online automatic application because of your “incident”.

Wink

+1 for TiredSoul's answer. I do not believe this event meets the criteria for an "incident"