B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
The FO (First Officer) hand flying a simple departure lost control of the aircraft IFR. Westchester 7 Climb runway heading 163 degrees to 800 feet then a right turn to 320 degrees maintain 2000. [First Officer] put the aircraft in an unusual attitude nose down. I took control and recovered. Happened very fast; at very busy time 30 seconds after departure. I saw he was having trouble. Reacted immediately.Loss of situational awareness by the FO. He got the aircraft 200 feet high then over corrected and then got the aircraft in a nose down bank and slow; 400 feet low. Disconnected the auto throttle; increased thrust; and recovered. To level flight. On heading. What I was handed I lost 400 feet to recover.I have flown with this First Officer before and don't recall any problems. Lack of experience in the aircraft. Asked him what he was flying before and he said the CRJ 900. I think the current stall recovery training; unusual attitude recovery training; was very essential for me in this situation. Plus 35 year professional flying and 25 years in Boeing aircraft.I have never been put in this very dangerous situation ever. Except in the simulator.
B737 Captain reported taking control of aircraft after the First Officer lost control of aircraft shortly after takeoff.