Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Human Factors; Weather
Original clearance was to maintain runway heading. We were given takeoff clearance; the Captain transferred aircraft control to me. As I began the takeoff roll; the Captain queried ATC about a left turn out some time after departure due to a weather cell 10 miles off the departure end. Tower Controller stated he would coordinate that. As we passed through 80 KTS; and as the Captain called '80 KTS' the Tower Controller canceled our takeoff clearance. The Captain told ATC we don't need the turn right away; and asked if we could continue. Tower did not respond. Captain queried the Tower again whether they wanted us to continue straight out since a turn wasn't immediately needed or stop the takeoff. Tower still did not respond. Not having a takeoff clearance anymore; the Captain called 'Abort; I have control' at 120 KTS and performed a smooth and gradual abort; with no aggressive braking or reverse thrust; due to the long length of the runway. I advised Tower that we were aborting takeoff; but still received no response. We slowed to taxi speed and turned left onto taxiway. At this time we heard a mic repeatedly being keyed on the Tower frequency; with no voice. We then heard another voice on the frequency asking us for radio checks 2 or 3 times. The Tower then was able to communicate with us and stated they were having communication problems. They instructed us to taxi back to for departure. I advised that we would need at least 15 minutes for brake stabilization and cooling. We stopped to call Dispatch to advise of the rejected takeoff and to speak with maintenance control. I spoke with the passengers and flight attendants while the Capt spoke with maintenance control; explained what happened and what we did; and that the hottest brake temp was the right-inboard brake which peaked at 7 and was already decreasing. Maintenance advised that no inspections were necessary. Capt then coordinated with Dispatch to rework our fuel requirements; and we then departed. Tower handed us off to departure; never having explained what had happened; other than their communications failure. The remainder of the flight was uneventful. We rejected takeoff at 120 KTS on an ungrooved; wet runway. ATC canceled our takeoff clearance and subsequently had a communications failure and were unable to communicate with us. We could have aborted earlier as soon as ATC issued the instruction. We also could have refused the takeoff clearance until a turnout had been coordinated.
Prior to takeoff we noticed a small rain shower about 6 miles off the end of the runway. Maybe 1 or 2 miles in diameter. First Officer was very concerned and mentioned several times that we need to get a turn to the north after departure; but he never informed Tower that we wanted a turn when he accepted and readback takeoff clearance. Just as we started takeoff roll I asked Tower if we could get a turn to the north after takeoff. Tower sounded confused; and asked if I wanted him to coordinate with Departure. I said yes; if that's what he needed to do; assuming that he would take care of that while we were taking off and would get back to us. Instead; he said to cancel takeoff clearance; we were accelerating thru 80 KTS at this time. Thinking that he was confused; I informed him that we could just continue straight out initially. No response from Tower. I then informed him that I needed to know immediately if takeoff clearance was canceled. No response from Tower. We were now at 120 KTS; and I decided to abort since we had a long runway and the confusion with Tower not responding may be a problem airborne. Abort was smooth and controlled. First Officer informed ATC we were aborting takeoff; No response from Tower. We turned off the runway and again tried to contact Tower; still no response. Finally a voice came over Tower frequency with a short count; like they were testing frequency. Tower then informed us that they had a communication failure. We taxi back to the runup pad and contacted Dispatch and Maintenance; and waited our 15; turned out to be about 30 with delays. After talking with Maintenance it was determined that no inspections were necessary; and we continued uneventfully.First Officer overly concerned with rain shower; then not asking ATC for deviation; prior to takeoff. Possible training Controller that made a poor decision to cancel our takeoff clearance. Rejected takeoff in high speed regime. Make sure First Officer gets deviation prior to takeoff roll. Abort takeoff earlier.
CRJ700 flight crew reports having their takeoff clearance canceled at 80 KTS after requesting a weather deviation when airborne. The non flying Captain asks for clarification without response from the Tower and the takeoff is rejected at 120 KTS.