B767-300 and 300 ER
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft
During takeoff beginning at approximately 100 knots; PM [Pilot Monitoring] noted quickly increasing abnormal sound on left side of aircraft that was unidentifiable but significant enough to warrant a rejected takeoff well below V1. Advised ATC of action and taxied clear of runway on taxiway A. Consulted with OPS to determine brake cooling time based on a conservative estimate of reject speed that accounted for delay in recognizing and executing RTO. OPS returned a cooling time value of 44 minutes. ATC accommodated our request to hold at a parking location on taxiway C short of Runway XX to attend to operational needs. All PAX [passengers] and FA [Flight Attendants] announcements were made accordingly. Relief Officer phoned company [Operations] and Maintenance Control advised a gate return for inspections. ATC taxi clearance was taxiway C; Runway XX; Taxiway A; then Stand X. After turning onto runway; aircraft control showed asymmetry and higher than normal thrust to move aircraft; followed by instability from wheels. ATC said smoke coming from left main landing gear. Called for airport service vehicles to meet airplane; then immediately advised of fire from left main gear. Fire rescue dispatched; evacuation commanded; and all PAX and crew exited aircraft right. Undetermined as of this report. Unable to isolate source of sound that prompted RTO. Checked left window which was secure. No fire or thermal issues of note on right main landing gear; only left. No brake temp monitoring available on this aircraft.
Captain reported that at 100 KIAS on Takeoff Roll; an abnormal sound was heard; causing a Rejected Takeoff and a return to gate for maintenance; during which ATC reported smoke from left main landing gear and crew noted instability in wheels causing an evacuation of aircraft.