Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 135
Situational Awareness; Confusion
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airport; Human Factors
During takeoff roll [on Runway 21R]; it appeared another aircraft was crossing our runway after we were given takeoff clearance. At about 80-100 knots; the Captain elected to reject the takeoff. I was the PF. I made a radio call to the Tower to let them know we rejected. Tower asked why and I replied due to an aircraft crossing our runway. Tower replied the aircraft was on a taxiway and that it was a common occurrence. I did not ask whether it was common for aircraft to reject or just think there was an aircraft crossing. We returned to the gate for fuel and brake cooling. RTO was otherwise uneventful.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
B737 flight crew reported they thought an aircraft was crossing at the departure end during takeoff from DTW so the Captain elected to reject the takeoff when in actuality the other aircraft was on a perpendicular taxiway.