EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Troubleshooting; Human-Machine Interface; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Aircraft
Aircraft disengaged flight director modes and disengaged autothrottles on takeoff roll around 40 KTS; got master caution message. We aborted takeoff. Ran checklists and everything was compliant for a second takeoff. [We] got clearance for takeoff from Tower. Again on the takeoff roll around 40 KTS; the aircraft disengaged the flight director modes; disengaged the autothrottles; and got a master caution message. We aborted takeoff. Ran checklists. At the time; outside temperature was -3 with snow; blowing snow; winds at 140 [degree] 35 gusting to 45. When we stopped with the parking brake on to run checklists; we noticed that the airspeed indicator was indicating 10 to as high at 60 KTS due to the strong wind gusts. We felt the wind gusts were giving the airplane unstable indications; and waited for a calm spot between gusts to try one last takeoff. [We] were able to take off on the third try without any abnormalities.
ERJ170 First Officer reports two rejected takeoffs due to flight director and autothrottle disengagement during takeoff roll at 40 KTS. No aircraft anomalies can be discerned and the problem is thought to be related to the very strong gusting winds; a third attempt was made during without difficulty.