Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 399
Situational Awareness
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Human Factors
During takeoff roll at approximately 80 KIAS the FAs (Flight Attendants) alerted the flight deck with four chimes followed by four chimes. A rejected takeoff was accomplished. While taxiing clear of the runway the flight attendants said the alert was caused by three passengers on the left side of the aircraft at row 22 yelled 'FIRE' three times after observing a fire ball from the aft of engine Number 1. Tower reported that no fire or smoke was observed from our aircraft. An Airport Operations person was nearby and made a visual inspection of our aircraft and reported no fire or smoke coming from the engine. At no time during the takeoff roll and subsequent reject were there any indications or warnings of engine fire; overheat; high EGT; high fuel flow; or compressor stall. Brake cooling calculations were made through [performance data calculator.] No cooling time was required. We taxied to a gate and deplaned the passengers. Dispatch; Maintenance Control; the Chief Pilot were contacted. A logbook entry was made and Mechanics were called out. Required inspections and a five minute engine run were performed. No abnormalities were found and the aircraft was returned to service.
During the takeoff roll we received four chimes from the Cabin Crew followed by an additional four chimes. I was the Pilot Flying. The Captain called for the reject and rejected the takeoff at approximately 85 knots. I advised the Tower of the reject and I contacted the Cabin Crew. They told me that three passengers seated between rows 20 and 23 on the left side (Captain's side) noticed flames coming out of the #1 engine tailpipe during takeoff. I asked them if there was any visible fire; smoke or fumes; to which they replied in the negative. We had normal engine indications throughout; and the Number 1 engine was no longer showing any symptoms of fire or smoke. An Operations vehicle inspected the aircraft and everything was normal. We checked brake cooling and proceeded to the gate. The passengers deplaned; the engine was inspected by Contract Maintenance; and after we ran the engine for five minutes the paperwork was completed and the aircraft was cleared to continue.
B737-700 flight crew reported rejecting a takeoff due to a call from flight attendants who said passengers saw flames coming out the number one engine.