Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 103; Flight Crew Type 15560
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft
Cleared to line up and wait Runway XX. When cleared for takeoff; pushed power to approximate 40% then selected TO/GA. As the thrust levers advanced; there was a very loud bang and yaw to the left. We had just started rolling. The thrust levers were brought to idle and we stopped on the runway. Initially; with the bang and yaw I thought we hit something or ran over something. As I was looking out the window; the First Officer stated we had a #1 Engine failure. Tower asked if we wanted equipment. We asked if they saw smoke or damage; and they replied 'No'; along with another aircraft on the taxiway. I made a PA for everyone to remain seated. I then called the F/A's (Flight Attendants) and asked them to look at the Captain side engine for smoke or flames. They reported it looked normal. We ran the Engine Failure Checklist; and discussed running the Rejected Takeoff Checklist. Since the event happened as the aircraft had just started to roll (probably less than 10 knots) we didn't run the Rejected Takeoff Checklist; knowing that brake energy and cooling wouldn't be an issue. After we taxied to the gate; I made calls to Dispatch; Maintenance; and the Chief Pilot on call; while the First Officer went to the ramp to inspect the aircraft. He discovered bent and broken turbine blades with metal pieces loose in the engine. He came back upstairs and called ZZZ Ground to do a runway check for engine debris. I made a PA to the passengers explaining that we had an engine failure at power up; and the aircraft would be taken out of service. They would receive more flight information in the terminal. After the passengers had deplaned; the crew got together and debriefed the event. I informed the F/As of what had happened and let them ask questions.
Captain reported engine failure on take off roll causing a rejected take off and a return to the gate.