On 1 December 2023, a Boeing 737-400 crew about to depart East Midlands on a night cargo flight set up the departure based on an incorrect loadsheet. As a result, the actual takeoff weight was 10 tonnes heavier than anticipated. Although no handling abnormality was detected, a ‘bump’ was heard during rotation and suspected to be either load shift or a tail strike. After an inspection eliminated load shift, it was decided to assume a tail strike and complete the forty five minute flight at a reduced altitude. This occurred without further event and a tail strike was subsequently confirmed.