B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Type 17600
Training / Qualification
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
Aircraft was a full 737-800. We parked with approximately 7200 pounds of fuel. Parking brake was set. About ten minutes into deboarding the nose wheel of the aircraft lifted up off the ground. I was standing in the jetway when this occurred. The Agent alertly handled control of the jetway. Deboarding was stopped. Shortly after; two aircraft mechanics came up from the ramp and stated they were driving by and saw the nose of the aircraft off the ground by about 12 to 18 inches. They also stated that the attached tug had probably kept the nose wheel from going higher. Nose came back down. Provisioning trucks were in position front and aft. There were approximately 50 people left to deboard at the time of the incident. I think the forward cargo bin had been unloaded first after going down to the ramp and looking at the aircraft shortly after the incident. The incident was entered in the logbook. Incoming Captain was briefed on the incident as well as Maintenance. Flight Manager was briefed as well.
B737-800 Captain reported after parking at the gate he observed the nose of the aircraft rising into the air when the proper unloading sequence was apparently not followed.