Approach and Landing
The approach to landing was normal. According to the crew, the touchdown was firm but not categorized as a hard landing. After touchdown, the airplane pitched up and bounced. The captain became concerned that the airplane would porpoise.
The speed had decreased to 107 knots, and reverse thrust had been initiated.
Go-Around Maneuver
The captain elected to conduct a go-around maneuver. The airplane was rotated to a nose-high attitude of about 12 degrees prior to achieving sufficient airspeed and a positive rate of climb.
During the go-around, the rear fuselage of the airplane contacted the runway for approximately 3,000 to 4,000 feet, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe.
The airplane lifted off, and the crew completed a second landing on runway 36R without further incident.
Training and Guidance
Boeing training material and FedEx guidance state that "after reverse thrust is initiated, a full stop landing must be made. Do not attempt a go-around." Additionally, the FedEx tailstrike awareness training states that "the [pilot flying] must not exceed 10 degrees of pitch or retract the landing gear until the aircraft is safely airborne with a positive rate of climb."