Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action; General Release Refused / Aircraft Not Accepted
Aircraft
I was the Captain (pilot not flying) and it was the First Officer's takeoff. During the takeoff roll; at approximately 80 KTS; Captain observed left engine EGT fluctuating and then started to roll back. The conditions were daylight; dry; headwind and 10;500 FT of runway. Captain initiated an aborted takeoff; closed the throttles and deployed the spoilers. Autobrakes did not engage. Captain elected not to use reverse thrust and allowed the aircraft to slowly decelerate to below 80 KTS before gently applying manual brakes. Aircraft slowed to safe taxi speed and exited the runway. ATC was informed that no assistance was required. Captain made a PA to the passengers. First Officer completed all normal and abnormal checklists and brake cooling charts were referred to and acknowledged. Aircraft taxied to gate and was removed from service. The Aborted Takeoff procedure states to 'immediately initiate maximum reverse thrust consistent with conditions' I elected not to use reverse thrust due to the dry; clear and favorable environmental conditions; the speed at rejection and the runway length. Reflecting on my actions; I realized that I should have; as a minimum; engaged minimum reverse thrust. Even though conditions were ideal; use of reverse thrust is the stated procedure and I should have complied with its use. It would have only benefited my efforts by increasing the aircraft's deceleration rate and reducing the amount of runway used. This could have been accomplished while still maintaining a safe; smooth and deliberate rejected takeoff.
A B767-300 Captain rejected the takeoff at about 80 KTS after he detected an EGT fluctuate and roll back. Neither reverse nor heavy braking was used on the 10;000 FT runway.