Date: 201910
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Night
Aircraft: A321
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Communication Breakdown
Second reporter function: Captain
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Detector: Person Flight Attendant; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Procedure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: Just as I was about to step off the plane and conduct a post flight walk around for my First Officer; the A Flight Attendant stopped a deplaning passenger from exiting as the jet bridge moved erratically downward. The gate agent then proceeded to reposition the jet bridge. The A Flight Attendant partially closed the forward door until we were given the all safe indication from the gate agent. As we waited the A Flight Attendant informed me they had a similar issue the prior day that took 35 minutes to finish deplaning because of a malfunctioning auto leveler. I decided to start the APU as we waited. I disconnected power and turned on the air conditioning. I also called on the radio to ops to inform them of the malfunction. I asked they send a mechanic out to help fix the jet bridge. As we were waiting I saw the Captain who was waiting at the end of the jet bridge go down below and conduct a pre-flight inspection. Once the jet bridge was in place we continued deplaning without any issues. I told the out going Captain the only issue we had was the jet bridge malfunction. I did not complete a second walk around.The jet bridge issue was not fixed from a earlier issue from the second hand knowledge I obtained. I should have requested an inspection regardless of hearing or seeing any damage done by the jet bridge. I assumed the departing Captain at the end of the jet bridge would have seen any contact with the jet bridge and told me as I was leaving.


Second narrative: I have never been so furious in my career. When I went to the aircraft first; jetway at [gate] was malfunctioning due to an autoleveler fault. I did not witness any aircraft damage and we departed normally. On climbout at 11;000 ft.; the A Flight Attendant called me complaining of a loud squealing on the 1L door. I told him this happens sometimes and as the aircraft pressurizes; the rubber seal will push against the door frame and it will stop. I told him I would call him back in 5 minutes. I called at 17;000 ft. and asked how it was. It was worse and I could hear it on the interphone. I asked him to place a cart out so I could personally come hear. I went out and it was a loud and unusual squeal and whistle. Sitting in the jumpseat; it was almost deafening. I said to him we would climb and let the cabin pressure get to a higher PSI and if it did not resolve; we would look at returning to ZZZ. At 24;000 ft; I called and the noise was worse. We opted to return to ZZZ. Upon landing; I called Maintenance Control. I talked to [Mechanic] [who] told me Aircraft X had the jetway make contact with the main cabin door earlier in the day; and they were planning on replacing the seal on the 1L door. He also told me; 'I am not happy with the way that was handled.' I asked him if he knew there was no record in the logbook. His reply was; 'You're kidding me!' I said; nope. In addition to this; I found out the autoleveler on [gate] had been malfunctioning all day! Station ops had known about this ALL DAY LONG! Aircraft X had been on [gate] all day doing ZZZ turns. Later in the night; local airport maintenance was inspecting the jetway and did actually find a problem with the autoleveler. Clearly someone in Maintenance at ZZZ was involved; because how else would Maintenance Control know about the seal needing replacement? This is borderline criminal negligence. For no record to be made in the logbook when they knew something was wrong with the door; and for me to have to deal with an air return is beyond comprehension. I have never been so livid in my career. To put the crew and the passengers lives at risk because of not properly evaluating and documenting aircraft damage from a faulty jetway; cannot be classified any other way. This is negligence to the highest degree! I cannot believe I took an aircraft with known damage to the door; and I was not informed and it was not documented. No excuse!


Synopsis: Flight Crew reported jet bridge malfunction caused damage to aircraft that was not reported or logged; resulting in a return to departure airport.