After takeoff B767-300 flight crew is informed by a flight attendant seated in the rear that a tail ...

Narrative:

ATIS reported the wind as 310/9 and when cleared for takeoff tower reported wind of 310/12. During takeoff roll the captain applied appropriate control inputs for a left crosswind with mild gusts to include left aileron and rudder necessary to maintain directional control. When 'rotate' call was made; the aircraft was rotated to takeoff pitch attitude; this occurred as the aircraft was rolling over the intersecting runway. As the nose lifted there was an abrupt roll to the left which the pilot flying corrected and continued rotation to a normal takeoff attitude. The gear was retracted and the remainder of the takeoff/departure was normal. Passing about 18;000 toward our assigned altitude of FL190; the flight attendant in the aft of the aircraft called the cockpit to inform that she heard a loud scraping noise during our takeoff and suspected a tail strike. Pilot monitoring consulted the QRH procedure which calls for a landing at nearest suitable. Since the tail strike could not be verified and the procedure requires depressurizing the aircraft; it was decided to land as soon as possible. Captain and dispatcher agreed that ZZZ was the nearest suitable field. Max landing weight and landing distance was determined from FM charts and all parameters were within the limits. An uneventful approach and landing was made at ZZZ for required maintenance action. There was no indication whatsoever in the cockpit of a tail strike.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: After takeoff B767-300 flight crew is informed by a Flight Attendant seated in the rear that a tail strike may have occurred during the takeoff. Flight diverts to the nearest suitable airport for maintenance inspection.

Narrative: ATIS reported the wind as 310/9 and when cleared for takeoff Tower reported wind of 310/12. During takeoff roll the Captain applied appropriate control inputs for a left crosswind with mild gusts to include left aileron and rudder necessary to maintain directional control. When 'rotate' call was made; the aircraft was rotated to takeoff pitch attitude; this occurred as the aircraft was rolling over the intersecting runway. As the nose lifted there was an abrupt roll to the left which the Pilot Flying corrected and continued rotation to a normal takeoff attitude. The gear was retracted and the remainder of the takeoff/departure was normal. Passing about 18;000 toward our assigned altitude of FL190; the Flight Attendant in the aft of the aircraft called the cockpit to inform that she heard a loud scraping noise during our takeoff and suspected a tail strike. Pilot Monitoring consulted the QRH procedure which calls for a landing at nearest suitable. Since the tail strike could not be verified and the procedure requires depressurizing the aircraft; it was decided to land ASAP. Captain and Dispatcher agreed that ZZZ was the nearest suitable field. Max landing weight and landing distance was determined from FM charts and all parameters were within the limits. An uneventful approach and landing was made at ZZZ for required maintenance action. There was no indication whatsoever in the cockpit of a tail strike.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1100192
Time
Date	201307
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B767 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Route In Use	Visual Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 70 Flight Crew Type 775
Person 2
Function	Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Qualification	Flight Attendant Current
Events
Anomaly	Ground Event / Encounter Ground Strike - Aircraft

After takeoff B767-300 flight crew is informed by a flight attendant seated in the rear that a tail strike may have occurred during the takeoff. Flight diverts to the nearest suitable airport for maintenance inspection.