Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 240; Flight Crew Total 19000; Flight Crew Type 5000
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Human Factors
Power was set to TOGA for takeoff by pilot flying (Captain) and set thrust call was made. Pilot not flying (First Officer) has personal technique of touching the side of the thrust lever to confirm thrust set. As the pilot not flying moved his hand to 'touch' the side of the thrust lever he inadvertently bumped the flap position lever from the desired 20 degree position to the 8 degree position. This caused a Configuration Warning and takeoff was discontinued. Runway was cleared and aircraft was stopped on taxiway as we discussed the incident. A second Before Takeoff Checklist was completed and second takeoff attempt was completed without incident. First Officer needs to modify his technique of touching thrust lever when confirming thrust set!
My Captain had advanced thrust levers to takeoff. Called 'set thrust.' I had my left hand on left side of my leg with my thumb on top of my kneecap. I reached up to confirm thrust lever in takeoff position by touching thrust lever; then looked up and confirmed thrust setting on N1 gauge; calling out 'thrust set.' I brushed the flaps lever with my hand [and] did not realize that I knocked the flaps from the 20 degree position into the flaps 8 degree position. We got the takeoff configuration warning. I realized what I had done and looked up and said 'the flaps now at 8 degrees.' I realized what I had done. We discontinued takeoff. I put flaps back in flaps 20 degrees. We exited runway; re-ran all checklists; told flight attendants what had happened. Told ATC and passengers we had indication error; re-set problem; and would be on our way. We departed again no problems. It was my fault totally and I apologized to my Captain for my mistake.
A CRJ-90 flight crew aborted their takeoff when the First Officer accidentally moved the flap lever from 20 to 8 while checking thrust setting on the roll.