B777 flight crew reported the cockpit filled with heavy smoke during takeoff roll. Flight crew rejected takeoff; cleared the runway; and was towed to ramp.
Synopsis
B777 flight crew reported the cockpit filled with heavy smoke during takeoff roll. Flight crew rejected takeoff; cleared the runway; and was towed to ramp.
Narrative
Taking off Runway XXL ZZZZ and had to reject the takeoff because of smoke in the cockpit pouring in between 70-80 kias. Rejection was around 80 kias. Masks were donned during reject and cockpit visibility was very low. Just enough visibility to see a taxiway turnoff as I was slowing on the rejected takeoff. Tower reported smoke coming out of the left side then left engine of aircraft. As we cleared the runway cockpit windows were open to allow better visibility. I shut down the left engine as we cleared the Runway and slowly brought the aircraft to a full stop and set the parking brake. Coordination was done between myself and onsite fire coordinator on VHF1. The Fire Commander ensured me the engine was not on fire although smoke continued for at least 10-15 minutes. I'm assuming now it was because of the oil in the engine was thru out the engine because of a blown seal or bearing. During all of this the First Officer accomplished the rejected takeoff checklist. Right engine was also shut down. No APU was started. Even though only the APU air was deferred; I was now not confident in the analysis done by local contract Maintenance and thought it best practice to leave the aircraft shutdown. Local Maintenance had said before departure that they prefer we not run the APU because of the oil/smoke situation of the previous flight. In hindsight; I should have insisted the either it was inop or operating but not this in between.We passed to the company Chief Pilot and ops via cell phone that we would be losing radios in 10-15 minute and needed a tug. ATC was also informed via VHF. We were towed to site XXX. 2 deadheading pilots in the back of the plane confirmed that during the incident the back half of the cabin had almost no visibility because of smoke and the front half was also filled with smoke but better visibility. In the cockpit most of the smoke entered under the feet of myself and the First Officer. It took no more the 5-7 seconds for entire cockpit to be filled with smoke. 3rd and 4th pilots reported they could barely see the back our our heads;18 inches away; and the instruments were not visible because of smoke during rejection.
Second reporter narrative
Shortly after the start of takeoff roll; heavy smoke poured into the flight deck. Visibility was close to zero and a rejected takeoff occurred at approximately 80 knots. As the aircraft slowed; we donned our oxygen masks and the 2 relief pilots assisted in opening the windows to allow the smoke to dissipate. Tower was notified and we exited the Runway and requested fire fighting assistance. Tower then reported smoke coming from our left engine; so we immediately shut it down. We completed the rejected takeoff checklist and confirmed with the on scene commander there was no fire in either engine. The smoke started to dissipate so we elected not to evacuate and monitor the situation. After coordinating with ATC and company; we were towed to a hard stand. Maintenance discovered a major oil leak on the left engine.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.