B737-800 Captain reported performing a high speed rejected takeoff due to a pack light indication resulting in tire failure. The aircraft was unable to move and required air stairs to remove the passengers from the aircraft.

Date: 2024-03 · Aircraft: B737-800 · Phase: takeoff

Anomalies: aircraft-equipment-problem-critical|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy|ground-event-encounter-loss-of-aircraft-control

Synopsis

B737-800 Captain reported performing a high speed rejected takeoff due to a pack light indication resulting in tire failure. The aircraft was unable to move and required air stairs to remove the passengers from the aircraft.

Narrative

During the takeoff roll on ZZZZ airport; Runway XR full length; at about 135 kts.; which was below our V1 speed of 152 kts.; we got a Master Caution; right pack ON light indication. At the moment of this occurrence; in my mind; I honestly perceived the situation as unsafe to fly; due to a possible pressurization problem; due to the high altitude elevation of this airport which is also surrounded by high altitude terrain. I was the pilot flying and rejected the takeoff. I exited the runway on Taxiway 1 and held short of Runway XL. After telling the passengers the 'this is the Captain. Remain seated. Remain seated. Remain seated.' PA; ATC allowed us to remain on Taxiway 1; holding short of Runway XL; to run our checklist and coordinate with operations to return to the gate. With the distractions of communicating with ATC; executing our pack light ON checklist; which cleared the pack light ON light; communicating to the passengers and flight attendants and coordinating with operations; at some point; I unintentionally set the parking brake. When I noticed my honest mistake; I released it. While in communication with local Maintenance on radio frequency; they told us to set again the parking brake while a gate was being coordinated for us. At that point; I began to communicate with my Dispatcher to provide an update of the situation and set a conference call with Maintenance Control. I indicated Maintenance Control that I was holding my position with the parking brake set as indicated by local Maintenance. After the call ended; local Maintenance called us and told us to release the parking brake as instructed by Maintenance Control. When a gate was available to us; I received a clearance to taxi to the gate. At that point; I realized that the airplane was not moving. I called Maintenance to come and inspect the aircraft at our position. When Maintenance arrived to inspect the aircraft; they found the number 2 tire was flat. They showed up with a tow truck to park us at the gate. The tow truck did not move the aircraft either. We coordinated to bring stairs and buses to the airplane to deplane everybody. Maintenance started to work on the aircraft on Taxiway 1. The next day; we flew the same airplane. During the takeoff roll out of Runway XR; at around 130 kts.; we got a Master Caution; Right Pack light ON. After evaluating the experience from the previous day; I was confident to continue the takeoff without rejecting; knowing that it was not going to cause a pressurization problem and the aircraft was not unsafe to fly. We executed our Pack light On checklist; which cleared the malfunction. We continued to our destination. Maintenance was notified via the logbook and ACARS. Low time Captain; High altitude airport; high altitude terrain surrounding the airport.Always follow SOP.

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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.