What happened
The accident occurred during a takeoff operation at Denver. The pilot flying was a first officer (F/O) who was conducting his third initial operating experience flight under the supervision of a check airman. Prior to this specific flight, both the captain and the first officer had discussed concerns regarding rapid rates of rotation on previous flights, including discussions that took place on the day of the accident.
During the takeoff roll, the first officer performed the rotation maneuver but exceeded the standard rate of 3 degrees per second. This excessive pitch-up attitude caused the aft fuselage underbelly to contact the runway surface. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft structure.
The investigation
The examination of the event focused on the flight dynamics during the takeoff phase. Analysis confirmed that the primary mechanical issue was structural damage resulting from the physical contact between the aircraft's rear underside and the pavement, directly linked to the pitch attitude achieved during rotation.
Findings
Contributing factors included the first officer's failure to adhere to standard rotation techniques and the excessive rate of pitch change. The check airman was present but did not intervene in time to prevent the fuselage strike. The substantial damage was a direct consequence of exceeding the 3 degrees per second rotation limit.