However there is at least one case when a T/O rejection above V1 maybe saved lifes. About 10 years ago or so, an Air Liberté MD83 stroke a Shorts 330 at Roissy CDG, France. Basically the MD was performing its T/O roll after having had his T/O clearance when ATC did a tremendous mistake, allowing a Shorts 330 to line up from a mid position taxiway on that same runway. Nightly operation. Visibility less than average. Language misunderstanding (french language ATC <-> MD83 vs english language ATC <-> Shorts). The MD's left wingtip stroke the Short's cockpit, instantly killing the unfortunate F/O. Although the MD was a few knots above V1 its crew chose to abort their T/O and I think they took the fair decision as 1/3 to 1/2 of their left hand wing was torn off. And as they were light on a pretty long runway they managed to come to a full stop before the runway end.
Had they chosen to continue their T/O, none would have been able to say the airplane would have flown safely.
H.
Last edited by homebuilt; 29th Oct 2010 at 18:04.