Originally Posted by LarryJ

Here's a tail-skid from a 737-900 which has done its job.

Two indicators show that the strike was within limits and the airplane is still airworthy. First, the green band is still showing. Second, the sacrificial plate has NOT been ground down to the two indicator dimples (symmetrical small dots near the upper two mounting screws).

Lots of emphasis in training about how to avoid tail strikes. On the -800, and particularity the -900, there just isn't much margin for error. A normal takeoff or landing can result in your being only 3° or 4° pitch from a tail strike.

The airplane records our pitch attitude at liftoff and touchdown and we can review the data after each TO/LND to see how we did.