Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 12000; Flight Crew Type 6000
Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Distraction
ATC Issue All Types; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors
Following a delayed taxi; Logan Tower cleared Aircraft X for takeoff on runway 27. After takeoff thrust was set an aircraft on Tower frequency declared that aircraft had snow contamination on its left inboard flap. After hearing the ambiguous radio call; I decided the safest course of action was to reject the take off. After clearing the active runway the copilot queried the Tower which aircraft had the contaminated surface. The Tower stated that the radio call was directed act another aircraft. Facing another lengthy delay taxi to the active runway I elected to return to the gate for more fuel.
I was the First Officer and Pilot Flying and the Captain was the Pilot Monitoring. We taxied out to runway 27 and proceeded to wait in a lengthy line for takeoff. Upon receiving takeoff clearance I added thrust; initiated the takeoff roll; and began my callouts. At approximately 50-60 knots; a pilot who I believe identified themselves as Aircraft Y made a radio transmission on Tower frequency stating; 'the aircraft in front of us'; has ice or snow on their wings and flaps. Due to the ambiguity of the report and safety concerns; it immediately caught my attention and at the same time; the Captain initiated the rejected takeoff at a low speed. I immediately notified ATC of the rejected takeoff and then made a PA for the passengers to remain seated. I notified Tower no assistance would be necessary and informed them that we rejected because we were uncertain if the radio transmission was about our aircraft or a different aircraft of our similar carrier. ATC responded that they were talking about a different aircraft of our carrier so we notified them that we would rejoin the line for takeoff. We rejoined the line and completed the checklists but after a second lengthy taxi and wait in line; we decided to return to the gate to refuel. Upon receiving our fuel and accommodating passengers; we departed without further incident and safely arrived at our destination airport shortly thereafter.
An air crew; after having applied takeoff thrust; heard a radio call that stated that an aircraft had snow contamination on its left inboard flap. Thinking that the call may have been meant for them; they rejected the takeoff. The call was not for them.