Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 127; Flight Crew Total 8933; Flight Crew Type 4329
Training / Qualification; Time Pressure; Confusion; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
In the early part of takeoff roll all appeared normal. Shortly after the 100 knot call I perceived a thumping sound and vibration. This happened 2 or 3 times in rapid succession. I suspected compressor stall and aborted the takeoff about 130 knots.Aircraft was quickly slowed to the point I determined we would have no problem stopping on the runway. The FO made a 'remain seated' PA announcement. I communicated to the FO to use the switch to deactivate the auto brakes as we were rapidly decelerating to approximate taxi speed and I was concerned with brake temperatures. Tower was notified that we had aborted and their instructions were to exit the runway and turn right on Taxiway R. We asked that fire equipment be dispatched to inspect wheels and tires due to high brake temperatures. After we came to a stop I directed the FO to perform the rejected takeoff QRH. The fire department equipment arrived within about 3 to 4 minutes.I made an announcement on the PA to inform the passengers and flight attendants that I had stopped the takeoff due to unusual sounds and vibrations and that the Fire Department was coming to inspect the brakes and tires. We were able to establish communications with the Fire Department personnel on a discrete frequency and they said the wheel temperatures were high and the left wheels were smoking.There was no fire; but the high temperatures had caused the tires to go flat on the left side; and eventually the right side of the airplane. The brake temperatures decreased; and the fire department personnel brought air stairs to the aircraft. During this period I made several PA announcements in an effort to keep the passengers informed of what we were hearing from the Fire Department and that transportation was being arranged for them back to the terminal.The Fire Department operations told us they were ready to enter the aircraft so after confirming with the purser that the door was disarmed; I opened door 1 left. I spoke with the Fire Department personnel to begin the coordination of the unloading of the passengers.Shortly after this the Customer service agents and the assistant chief pilot and a flight attendant supervisor arrived and aided in the orderly deplaning of the passengers and their transportation to the terminal. When the passengers were off the aircraft the FO and I ran the parking checklist and the crew was taken to the terminal.
It was a normal flaps 1 flex takeoff. Gross weight was approximately 135;000 pounds. I was the pilot flying. After takeoff clearance; I set the power to the Flex detent and called for 'Check Thrust' and removed my hand from the thrust levers. The Captain called out 'Thrust Set' and I called out the FMAs'. Somewhere after the 100 knot callout by the Captain; the Captain initiated a rejected takeoff. As the pilot flying; my focus was outside the cockpit. The Captain indicated that he heard/felt unusual vibrations and noises. I made a PA announcement to 'remain seated; remain seated' and I made a radio call to the Tower that we were aborting our takeoff. I made the 80 knots callout. Once we slowed down; I asked the Captain if he wanted me to turn off the Auto Brakes. He said yes. I made another radio call to the Tower and told him that we were exiting the runway to the right and we would turn right on Taxiway R and to please send the fire trucks to inspect the tires and brakes as we suspect hot brakes.
An A320 Captain rejected the takeoff at about 130 KTS after he heard/felt unusual vibrations and noises. The tires deflated after leaving the runway so crew and passengers were bussed to the terminal.