Air carrier flight crew reported tower cancelled takeoff clearance while flight was on takeoff roll due to conflict with landing traffic on another runway. Flight crew rejected takeoff and returned to the gate.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported tower cancelled takeoff clearance while flight was on takeoff roll due to conflict with landing traffic on another runway. Flight crew rejected takeoff and returned to the gate.
Narrative
While cleared to 'line up and wait' on [Runway] XXL which we complied with. We were then cleared for takeoff. At approximately 30kts the Tower told us to stop! Being at a low speed and not knowing what is going on behind me or out of my view; I complied with the Tower request. Simultaneously ZZZ was landing on XXC. We stopped on the runway and waited for the XXC arrival. Tower then told us we can takeoff from our position if we want. Unable we explained and was told to taxi down the runway exit at [Taxiways] 1; 2; and hold short of XXC. This was already a long duty day and we would not make it off the ground with our MOT (Mandatory Off Time) time. Operations was called and we returned to our gate.Cause: I believe ATC did not have proper separation between us and Runway XXC arrival aircraft.Suggestions: First of all; I'm a professional! I take great pride in my job. But to have the Control Tower berate us on frequency for all long as he did and then give us a punitive taxi so we missed our MOT time is unacceptable! We did not engage the controller after he told us we were too slow to takeoff. This aircraft requires at least 6-8 seconds to spool up before we can engage TOGA. I believe we were admonished unfairly to cover what would have been his loss of separation of aircraft.
Second reporter narrative
Upon reaching Runway XXL hold short line at ZZZ; we were instructed to 'Lineup and wait for Runway XXL.' I responded as PM to Tower 'Lineup and wait Runway XXL; Aircraft X.' The CA and I; both visually cleared the final approach and on the runway for traffic; adjusted the necessary lights for lineup and wait; finished the before takeoff checklist; and verified minimum takeoff fuel was onboard. As the CA had lined us up with the centerline of Runway XXL; Tower said; 'Aircraft X; the winds are (don't remember the specific winds); traffic is on 3 mile final for Runway XXC; fly runway heading; Runway XXL cleared for takeoff.' I responded to Tower; 'Fly runway heading; Runway XXL cleared for takeoff; Aircraft X.' The CA verbally passed me the aircraft controls; I responded 'My Aircraft'; we adjusted the appropriate lights for takeoff; and I adjusted the thrust levers to spool up to 40%. Upon reaching 40%; I announced 'TO/GA'; clicked the TO/GA buttons; and the thrust levers advanced to the takeoff setting. As we started rolling down the runway with takeoff thrust set; Tower said; 'Aircraft X; takeoff clearance cancelled; stop.' I announced 'Reject!' The CA verbalized; 'Reject; my aircraft.' I said; 'your aircraft.' We accomplished the rejected takeoff; told Tower that we were rejecting; and stopped in position on the runway; as instructed. Tower asked if we needed to taxi back to the runway or if we could depart from where we were. We informed Tower that'd we'd have to taxi back to the end of Runway XXL to depart. We taxied off the runway as instructed. Due to the landing traffic and waiting to cross two runways; we were illegal on our duty day to depart for ZZZ1 and therefore returned to gate without incident. Cause: I don't think there was anything out of the ordinary that we did on the flight that attributed to the rejected takeoff. Safety is always our priority and I think we addressed that thoroughly. However; ATC did not have the spacing they needed for us to depart on XXL with traffic landing XXC. There was nothing we could have done differently in order to ensure we had the proper spacing for takeoff. Suggestions: Thorough communication between ATC and aircraft. Phraseology is very important in aviation. Things like 'No delay' clue us as pilots into the urgency of the situation; but also allows us to take a second and debate if its compromising safety and reminds us that we can always say 'unable' if we aren't comfortable in the present situation. This example doesn't apply to our rejected takeoff; but could have maybe changed the outcome by saying 'unable; we will wait for better spacing.'
More incidents for this aircraft family →
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.