777. Surely the L/E devices would've given a TO Config warning. And getting airborne early might be possible with mistaken lighter performance numbers, but in the ways of staggering into the sky, as has been described, surely a tail strike would have occured, if no slats, and or an early rotate.
Bummer bout the CVR/FDR.
Was there a heavy departure prior, 747 etc, which might have offered some dirty air in a no slats, lower than required speed departure.
And a flaming left and a reverser deployed on the right does give some evidence to the right turn prior to contacting the ground, unless as you say its been in a stall situation prior, or heaven forbid, stall caused from the reverser. If that was the case.
