EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft
Upon reaching rotation speed; PM called for rotate. At rotate; the flight control (elevator) felt unresponsive. Both pilots noted the unresponsiveness. There was never a positive rate of climb. The airplane remained airborne for a very short period of time; and started to sink as I was still trying to pull for a climb. It appeared like a loss of lift. As the airplane continued to descend towards the runway; I informed the PM that 'it is not going'; meaning; it would not want to climb. The aircraft felt unsafe and unable to fly; and the decision was made to land the airplane back on the runway. Max breaking action was not needed to stop the aircraft with a safe margin of runway still ahead. Upon stopping; communication with the passengers and cabin crew was established; as well as with the Tower. All passengers and crew members were safe; and no one panicked. Tower needed an explanation/reason for the rejected takeoff. Later we called tower and everything was fine. They were concerned about injuries; which did not happen. We returned to the gate; and upon deplaning the passengers; they seemed calm and praised the crew reaction to the situation. Dispatch was notified and Maintenance was called in to inspect the aircraft.Good Crew Resource Management (CRM) is paramount for the safe operation of an aircraft on all phases of flight. Training; focus; attention to detail; and quick reaction are all fundamental during times of abnormal circumstances. Pilots should not become complacent; since most flights are non-eventful. Though not a procedure that is trained/performed/demonstrated during simulator training; it could be suggested to be implemented for situations like this. Overall; good aeronautical decision making; experience; and a safety mindset is crucial to the safety of passengers; crew; and aircraft.
Captain reported no positive rate of climb at lift off and elected to set the aircraft back down on the runway and reject the takeoff.