PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - one question about the 737 aborted take off
Old 21st Aug 2010, 14:00
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A37575
 
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Here is one. Not me though. B737-200. While taxiing for departure crew see intermittent flashing of wing body overheat light on one side. It goes out after a while. Capt lines up and briefs F/O if the WBO light comes on before 80 knots he will stop the aircraft. Runway length very limited with no over-run area - just a cliff into the sea.

Aircraft scarps down the runway and 10 knots below V1 master caution and wing body overheat occurs. Captain aborts but forgets speed brake for a few seconds and aircraft stops literally 10 metres from edge of cliff.

After taxi back and shut down, startled F/O (total 500 hours on his log book) asks captain why he aborted when he had briefed he would keep going if problem after 80 knots.

Captain was perfectly truthful and said it was an instant reaction when the Master caution light came on and he could not explain why he made the decision to stop.

It was an interesting and thought provoking statement. The shock of seeing a master caution light coming on at high speed has caused many pilots to abort the take off run when there was no need to. A lightning fast reaction may seem all very professional but could also lead to more problems than it solves. That is why there is wisdom in the manufacturer's recommended standard procedures which are often based on world wide experience gleaned from accidents.
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