B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Weight And Balance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Equipment Issue
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action
Procedure; Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
At departure time; aircraft ready for dispatch with all cargo doors closed only passenger door L1 remained open; the aircraft NLG raised off the ground approximately 18 inches per ground crew estimates. All loading for the departure was complete; bags/cargo; passengers and fuel.
While waiting for jet bridge to be pulled from aircraft the nose gear came off the ground. Following the ramp manual we had the nose gear chocked and the aircraft was connected to the Tug and cradle was down. As soon as the nose gear came off the ground I immediately called for a supervisor and Maintenance. Once they arrived they checked out the situation and then cleared us for push.
Ground employees and a First Officer reported the nose strut of a B737 aircraft fully extended and came off the ground 15 to 18 inches while attached to the push back tug. Reportedly; all loading was complete at that time.