More than minor
There was more than trivial tail shell deformation, which probably explains the loose seats mentioned in ACARS. Oddly the ATSB report omits any mention of that ACARS transmission. I wonder if that's part of what they reviewed.
Bottom line seems to be a gust of cross and slight tail wind at VR combined with de-rated thrust led to some left column correction just at the commencement of rotation which in turn caused a spoiler-triggered momentary loss of lift sufficient to leave the a/c with insufficient ground clearance when rotate angle over-pitched to 4 degrees nose up. UA has now modified pilot training on their 744s from 3 degrees to 2.5 degrees of rotation to match Boeing's recommendations.
Basically a flukey wind condition just at the critical commencement of rotation was the primary cause, so I doubt that the (flying) PIC would suffer any opprobrium.
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Philip
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