Fractional pilot reported FBO personnel discovered damage on the leading edge of the right wing. Pilot reported damage could have occurred at a previous FBO or have been caused by collision with a UAS in flight.

2025-07 · NASA ASRS report 2265196

Date: 2025-07 · Aircraft: Medium Transport · Phase: ground

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-less-severe

Synopsis

Fractional pilot reported FBO personnel discovered damage on the leading edge of the right wing. Pilot reported damage could have occurred at a previous FBO or have been caused by collision with a UAS in flight.

Narrative

There is damage to aircraft. Cause of damage and time/geographical location of damage cause; is unknown. A few hours after parking aircraft at a FBO at ZZZ; crew were contacted by FBO personnel; and alerted to aircraft damage. Aircraft had damage to leading edge of right wing. 3 holes were found in right slat; spaced about 3 feet apart. Metal holes were torn; not dented as if by bird or hail strike. ZZZ was destination of our second leg of the day. The days itinerary was ZZZ1..ZZZ2.Aircraft was fueled at each location's FBOs. No damage was noted throughout preflight; fueling or un-chalking. Aircraft was marshalled out of parking (at ZZZ1& ZZZ2) by ground personnel. No ground personnel alerted aircraft crew to any damage. Most likely time of damage occurring was after fueling/inspection at ZZZ2; and parking at ZZZ. Our company owner reviewed video tapes of parking areas of FBOs at all 3 locations; revealed no collisions with ground equipment.It is possible that a drone strike occurred on departure (from ZZZ2) or visual approach to XXR (at ZZZ).As SIC; I should have done a more complete postflight inspection; soon after landing at ZZZ. I should have noticed any damage; prior to receiving notification from FBO personnel. It is possible that the aircraft was damaged after parking; however; parking ramp video disclaims this possibility. I struggle to believe it possible; that such damage could have occurred on the previous days flights and not have been noticed by the PIC nor SIC through so many inspecting/refueling cycles. Typically; the left side of the aircraft is observed during refueling; baggage handling passenger boarding; galley restocking. Right side is not so frequently observed. I will improve the consistency of pre- and post flight inspection. This inspection will more closely examine the right side of the aircraft.

NASA callback

Reporter stated ATC advised them there was other traffic flying into ZZZ; but the reporter never saw the traffic. Reporter said they were informed later of a black mark underneath the leading edge of the wing laterally between the three holes.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.

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