Factors Affecting Pilot Decision-Making in Rejected Takeoffs

Runway overruns following high speed rejected takeoffs (RTOs) have resulted and continue to result in airplane incidents and accidents. Although most high speed RTOs are executed without incident, the potential for an incident or an accident remains high. Since 1988 for example, four high speed RTO incidents and accidents occurred, two of which resulted in destroyed airplanes and one of those, fatalities. In response to the RTO incidents and accidents, the National Transportation Safety Board issued a Special Investigation Report which examined training and procedures used in the recognition of the need for and the execution of high speed RTOs. This report examines the pilot decision-making aspects of initiating and executing an RTO that were found in the Special Investigation. It discusses the deficiencies found in pilot training and procedures as well as recommendations offered to address those deficiencies.