A320 flight crew experiences low EPR on the number one engine during attempted takeoff and rejects at low speed.
Synopsis
A320 flight crew experiences low EPR on the number one engine during attempted takeoff and rejects at low speed.
Narrative
We were planning a flex takeoff with an assumed temperature of 38 degrees Celsius that was supposed to produce 1.36 EPR. Flaps 1+F. Once aligned with the runway I handed control of the airplane to the First Officer. He spooled the engines to 1.05 EPR and then advanced the thrust levers to the flex detent. I then put my hand on the thrust levers and made sure they were firmly in the proper detent. #2 engine came up to speed properly. I noticed #1 engine wouldn't accelerate past 1.25 or 1.26 EPR. I assumed control of the airplane and rejected the takeoff. We were in the low speed regime and the autobrakes never activated and we had to disarm them manually so the entire maneuver was completed below 72 KTS. We cleared the runway and returned to the gate.I have no idea why the engine did not produce takeoff thrust. Having said that; I wasn't going to wait and see what would happen; risk accelerating into the high speed regime; and then rejecting the takeoff. In my opinion we did the safest thing we could. Under the same circumstances; I would do the same thing.
Second reporter narrative
Once aligned with runway I received controls from Captain. I spooled the engines to 1.05 EPR and then advanced the thrust levers to the flex detent. I removed my hand from the thrust levers noted the power was coming up and moved my eyes outside the aircraft to continue with the takeoff. The Captain then rejected the takeoff and I handed controls of the aircraft to him. We exited the runway after the low speed reject and he explained that #1 engine was slow spooling up and never reached takeoff power (1.26 EPR). Auto brake never actuated. Contacted Maintenance and returned to gate. Brake temperatures were less than 300 C.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.