B737 flight crew reported an engine failure during the takeoff roll at approximately 90 knots. The crew performed a rejected takeoff and was notified by ATC of visible smoke from the failed engine. After an inspection by fire crews the flight taxied back to the gate.
Synopsis
B737 flight crew reported an engine failure during the takeoff roll at approximately 90 knots. The crew performed a rejected takeoff and was notified by ATC of visible smoke from the failed engine. After an inspection by fire crews the flight taxied back to the gate.
Narrative
Our flight was routine from the time we pushed off the gate up until we took the runway. The Co-pilot was the Pilot Flying (PF); we made the 'TOGA' followed by the '80' call outs and approximately 90 plus knots (difficult to remember exactly) we both heard an audible loud 'boom' sound and realized that the left engine had failed from indications on the EICAS system. The 'reject' and ' my aircraft' calls were made and as Pilot In Command (PIC); I assumed control and brought the aircraft to a stop on the runway. I made the PA to the Passengers to remain seated 3 times and advised the Flight Attendants (FA) that we had a problem. The Co-pilot was already talking to Tower about our situation. The Tower Controllers initially thought we blew a tire but we informed them we had an Engine Failure. They asked if we required Airport Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) assistance and initially after making a quick assessment we told them no. We knew no QRH checklist existed for an engine failure on the ground so; initially we did not run a QRH checklist. I recall either we asked the Tower or the Tower Controller said he may have seen smoke. At that point I told the Co-pilot to ask Tower to roll the ARFF. The exchange from the Tower gave us the impression that whatever smoke they may have seen was slightly after the engine had failed. I made the decision that it was safe to taxi and we parked in-front of the fire house at ZZZ airport. We elected to run the engine fire QRH doing only items we deemed applicable. We called and informed Operations of our dilemma and spoke to Maintenance and were given a gate. I made a PA telling the Passengers that vehicles would approach the aircraft from both sides but this was only precautionary. I spoke directly to the ARFF Fire Commander and asked them to asses the engines and wheel areas of the aircraft for signs of damage; smoke; fire etc. I asked if they saw anything that would prevent a safe taxi to the gate; they responded that they saw no signs as such. We had a few passengers get up to use the lavatory and I had to make a PA twice I recall to remind them that we needed them seated. I asked ARFF to follow us to the gate. Maintenance met us at the gate while they secured the data they needed; I stood at the door to personally thank every single passenger as they deplaned. I was told by Maintenance that my logbook entry had to be more precise on what speed we aborted at. I recalled somewhere around 92 knots which I put in the logbook. The Chief Pilot and a representative met us at the gate and we explained what happened. None come to mind; maintenance is more apt to answer this question. Again; until I know exactly what caused the left engine to fail; answering this question would purely be premature in my humble opinion.
Second reporter narrative
All was well with our flight everything called for and completed as per standard operating procedures. Lined up on [Runway] XXR; engines spooled and stabilized at 40 % N1. I was the Pilot Flying (PF) at this time. I clicked TOGA and made the call. The 80 kts call was made and checked by myself when I noticed I needed a lot more right rudder than usual. Below approximately 90 kts; a huge explosion could be heard the plane started pulling to the left at this time. Firm right rudder was applied to maintain center line. The reject call was made; the Captain (CA) assumed controls of the aircraft and brought the airplane to a stop at that time. The Captain was on the PA I was speaking with the Tower. We both assessed and both confirmed it was indeed an engine failure on the number 1 engine. We were asked by Tower if we could have taxied off the runway on our own power but we still were in assessment stage. Eventually we got the airplane rolling and we were told by another airplane smoke was coming out the number one engine. I called ATC and asked the fire trucks to meet us in the pad closest to the fire station to give us a look. Once the parking brake was set I made a check to see if there was an engine failure on the ground checklist. There was none. Just as a precaution we ran over a few items of the engine failure checklist just to be sure and that applied to our current situation. The Airport Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) checked us out and we were cleared thereafter to go to the gate and we were followed by the fire trucks.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.