Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 238; Flight Crew Type 9000
Other / Unknown
Conflict Ground Conflict; Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
In Detroit on Runway 04R cleared for takeoff and assigned heading 360; at approximately five knots prior to rotate speed. I felt the yoke start back prior to my calling 'rotate.' I was comfortable based on the acceleration rate of the aircraft it would not be a problem. Simultaneously; Tower called and told us to abort our takeoff. I was inside watching the engine instruments and calling out our speeds when the call from Tower came in. I glanced up to see a [small jet] in another carrier's colors crossing the runway from right to left and approximately in the middle of the runway. I believe he was crossing Y12 to Z12. I called 'rotate' at rotate speed knowing the Captain had already begun the rotation. I did not answer Tower's call immediately nor did I relay the call to the Captain and believe I might have replied 'unable' after we were safely airborne. I also knew; like the Captain; that the Tower call was wrong based on our speed; [distance] from the incursion aircraft of approximately 1;000 feet; and our acceleration rate. The aircraft was ready to fly. I fully believe if we had complied it would have been catastrophic. I believe we cleared the incursion aircraft by approximately 100 feet. I do not blame the Tower for the call. She was doing what she thought was right based on a snap decision from a much different vantage point than ours. I never heard the incursion aircraft speak to Tower and we were listening to all the calls. She was working both sides of the airport as we heard her clear an airport Ops vehicle down Runway 09R but hold short of 03L for landing traffic another Company aircraft. I want to give kudos to the Captain for using the HUD during the takeoff. He knew based on the HUD information that he was close to rotate speed without my callout. Great situational awareness. Detroit has multiple Ground frequencies and that can be confusing even though at that time I believe the West Ground Controller was working both North and South Ground like the Tower Controller was working both East and West. The addition of runway incursion lights like LAX and SAN might help but in this case we would most likely have been past the last row of those lights when the incursion aircraft crossed our departure runway.
We were cleared for takeoff on Runway 4R in Detroit. We were full plus another carrier's cockpit observer. After about 80 knots; I noticed a [smaller passenger jet] that appeared to be holding short of the runway on the east side; facing west; approximately intersection Y12. As we accelerated; I realized he was entering our runway. Through the HUD; I saw we were nearing our V1/VR speed. We were about five to eight knots below and accelerating rapidly. We were passing the intersection of 4R and 9L at that time as I began to rotate. At the same time; the Tower Controller commanded us to abort the takeoff. I elected to continue the takeoff and fly over the [smaller passenger jet] who was in the middle of our runway by then. I estimate we passed over the other aircraft by about 75 to 100 feet. We had entirely too much momentum to abort the takeoff; as instructed; and avoid contact with the [smaller passenger jet]. Continuing the takeoff and not following ATC instructions; seemed to me; to be the safer option. After we were airborne; the Tower Controller informed us the [smaller passenger jet] did not have clearance to cross our runway.We were not sure who the [smaller passenger jet] was talking to; Tower or Ground; or even which ATC frequency was being used by them; both Tower and Ground could have been controlling multiple frequencies. Being able to hear the conversations between ATC and other aircraft around us would help us maintain some improved situational awareness. I don't have enough information to make any good recommendations. The [smaller passenger jet] could have just crossed by error without any conversation. Either way we were out of the loop. We could only make the best of the situation as it developed.
A Large Transport flight crew on takeoff roll; approaching V1; detects a small passenger jet incurring ahead and a simultaneous command from the Tower to abort the takeoff. The Captain elects to continue at this point and clears the CRJ by less than 100 feet.