B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 147
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Runway
Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic; Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Human Factors; Procedure; Airport
Tower Controller instructed us to reject the takeoff due to another airplane not exiting the runway.
We were holding short [Runway] 12R watching a Piper Malibu land. We then were told to line up and wait. As we took position on the runway; Tower cleared the Malibu to turn left and take Taxiway A. The Captain had transferred aircraft control to me as we sat on the runway waiting for our clearance. Tower gave us our takeoff clearance and the Captain answered. I released the brakes and applied takeoff thrust. Approaching 80 KTS; the Tower Controller said something but I didn't recognize what the instructions were or even if the instructions were for us. As I'm accelerating down the runway; I saw the Malibu did not exit the runway and appeared to be have done a 180-degree turn on the runway. My perception of his distance was still a good 6;000 FT away. As I watched; the Malibu started to exit to its right. As this was happening; the Tower repeated instruction to us. At that point; the Captain queried the Controller to say again. I could now see that the Malibu had cleared the runway and the runway ahead was clear. The Tower responded; 'Company Flight Number; cancel takeoff clearance.' The Captain took control of the aircraft and rejected the takeoff. I noted the speed was 105 to 110 KTS and backed up the Captain on the rejected takeoff. We exited the runway to the right on Taxiway A (I think). Tower told us to turn right and taxi to [Runway] 12R. We were clear of the runway and I pulled out the OPC and told the Captain we had a 35-minute wait and had expended 23.6 million foot pounds of energy. I advised Operations and coordinated a gate. The Captain and I discussed whether the brakes were in danger of blowing the fuse plugs. I pulled out the QRH and reviewed the non-normal for rejected takeoff with the Captain and all the considerations. We determined to take aircraft to the available gate and wait out the time at the gate with the engines off.
A Local Controller dealt with a conundrum when a Piper Malibu failed to exit the active runway as cleared; a B737--cleared for takeoff in anticipation of separation--failed to respond to the first two cancellations of his takeoff clearance and another 737 was on final and had to be sent around. Ultimately the Malibu cleared; the first 737 reacted to the third cancellation and the second went around as directed.