2010-06 · NASA ASRS report 895062
B737-700 flight crew reports Captain's window sliding open during takeoff at 90 KTS. The takeoff was rejected at 120 KTS and flight returned to the gate for brake cooling.
The weather was variable clouds; winds 220/7 G 22; 36C; altimeter 30.15. The takeoff weight was 130.7. During the takeoff roll; the Captain's number two window slid open at 90 KTS. I attempted to stow the window. I was unsuccessful. An abort was initiated at 120 KIAS. The plane slowed to less than 60 KTS very rapidly. We cleared the runway; informed the Tower of the abort; and told them we needed no assistance. We informed the cabin of the abort. We ran the checklist. We determined that 58 minutes of cooling was required. We returned to the gate. Once at the gate; I went down to visually look at the landing gear. I did not notice anything unusual other than a little additional heat. I called Dispatch and Maintenance. We concurred that no logbook entry was required. I ordered additional fuel to bring us back to the Dispatch fuel requirement. About twenty-five minutes into the cooling period; the Fueler informed me that the number two; right; main tire had deflated. I went down and confirmed this. I called Maintenance and they called Contract Maintenance. I made a detailed logbook entry. The tire was replaced. Once the number two Captain's window opened; I should not have attempted to close it. An abort at first recognition would have allowed a lower speed stop. This would have allowed the brakes to work with less effort and less heat build-up.
The Captain went outside and one of the tires (not exactly sure which one) had a melted fuse plug. Maintenance Control was advised and a writeup was made in the logbook. We were then swapped to another aircraft and eventually departed.The importance of checking the slide window and making sure it is closed is vital. I remember the Captain having the window open at the gate; but never thought about it after that. Once we got going; we were busy since we were already one hour late and I never thought about that window again. Things happen when least expected. Always be ready for the unexpected like a window opening on takeoff roll. Also; rejected takeoffs are very real and dynamic in nature. The conditions on this day also made the rejected takeoff more dangerous. So much so that had this happened on a shorter runway; I would probably consider taking it airborne; going around the pattern; and landing with the window open instead of rejecting a takeoff and creating other possible problems with the tires and brakes.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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