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QFA108 Aborted Take Off

Qantas 108 Heavy performs a high-speed rejected takeoff at LAX following an intermittent smoke indication.

2008-07-23 Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Summary

Qantas Flight 108 initiated a rejected takeoff (RTO) at Los Angeles International Airport after receiving a smoke warning for one of the cabin doors. The crew safely stopped the heavy aircraft on the runway and coordinated a return to the terminal for inspection. Air Traffic Control provided seamless support, managing gate logistics and maintaining the flight plan for a later departure.

Analysis

This recording captures a high-stakes but professionally handled Rejected Takeoff (RTO) involving a "Heavy" aircraft, likely a Boeing 747-400, at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). An RTO, especially for a large wide-body aircraft fueled for a long-haul flight, is a demanding maneuver that places immense stress on the aircraft's braking system. The crew's immediate and calm notification—"Qantas 108, stopping 25 right"—is the standard procedure to ensure the controller stops all other movements on or across that runway.

The technical cause was an intermittent smoke indication at Door 5. In aviation, smoke or fire indications are treated with the highest priority, even if the warning disappears, as it did in this case. The crew must return to the gate to have maintenance and fire crews inspect the area to ensure there is no smoldering fire or faulty wiring that could jeopardize the flight over the Pacific.

The interaction highlights the logistical complexity following an emergency stop. The controller proactively checks gate availability and expresses concern about wingtip clearance at Gate 48 Bravo because of another aircraft at the adjacent Gate 48 Alpha. This level of situational awareness from the tower is crucial for preventing ground incidents like "hangar rash" or collisions during the stressful aftermath of an RTO.

Furthermore, the controller demonstrates excellent service by "holding the flight plan open" and amending the departure time. Usually, if a flight doesn't depart within a certain window of its filed time, the plan expires and must be refiled—a tedious process for international flights. By adjusting the time to 10:30, the controller saved the crew significant administrative work, allowing them to focus on the technical issue at hand.

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Original ATC Communication

Plain English Translation

ATC
Qantas 108 Heavy, wind calm, runway 25 right from the full length, cleared for takeoff.
ATC
Qantas 108, you're a large aircraft. The wind is calm, and you are cleared to take off using the full length of runway 25 right.
QANTAS 108
Cleared for takeoff 25 right, Qantas 108. Thank you.
QANTAS 108
Cleared for takeoff on 25 right, Qantas 108. Thank you.
QANTAS 108
Qantas 108, stopping 25 right.
QANTAS 108
Qantas 108, we're aborting the takeoff and stopping right here on runway 25 right.
ATC
Qantas 108 Heavy, Roger.
ATC
Qantas 108, big guy, I understand. You're stopping.
QANTAS 108
Qantas 108, is it okay if we take the taxiway here?
QANTAS 108
Qantas 108, is it alright if we pull off the runway onto the taxiway right here?
ATC
Qantas 108 Heavy, Roger. Exit as able and turn in whichever direction you want on Bravo—your choice.
ATC
Qantas 108, copy that. Exit the runway as soon as you're able and turn onto taxiway Bravo—you can go whichever way you need to, it’s your choice.
QANTAS 108
Qantas 108, we guess that we’d like to go back to the gate, please.
QANTAS 108
Qantas 108, we've decided we’d like to head back to the terminal gate, please.
ATC
Qantas 108 Heavy, Roger. Left turn on taxiway Bravo and hold short of Charlie 8, please.
ATC
Qantas 108, understood. Turn left onto taxiway Bravo and stop just before you reach the Charlie 8 intersection, please.
QANTAS 108
Left on Bravo, hold short of Charlie 8, Qantas 108.
QANTAS 108
Left on Bravo, then stopping before Charlie 8, Qantas 108.
ATC
Qantas 108 Heavy, can you contact your company and find out if you can still go back to Gate 48 Bravo? They parked an aircraft on 48 Alpha adjacent to where you were; I’m not sure if there’s wingtip clearance.
ATC
Qantas 108, can you check with your airline and see if you can still use Gate 48 Bravo? They parked another plane right next to your old spot at 48 Alpha, and I’m not sure if your wings will clear it.
QANTAS 108
Okay, we’ll get in contact with them.
QANTAS 108
Okay, we’ll get in touch with our team and check.
ATC
Qantas 108 Heavy, what was the reason for the aborted takeoff? Qantas 108 Heavy, say the reason for the aborted takeoff.
ATC
Qantas 108, what was the reason for slamming on the brakes? Qantas 108, please tell me why you had to cancel your takeoff.
QANTAS 108
Qantas 108, we had an indication of smoke at door five. It was an intermittent one and it has disappeared.
QANTAS 108
Qantas 108, we had a smoke alarm go off at door five. It was flickering on and off, but the light has gone out now.
ATC
Qantas 108 Heavy, Roger. You may taxi to the gate if you’re aware that it’s open and there is no other traffic moving on this side of the airport.
ATC
Qantas 108, copy that. You can drive back to the gate if you’re sure it’s available and as long as no other planes are moving on this side of the airport.
QANTAS 108
Qantas 108, thank you. We’re just advising our company now; they might be giving us another gate. Are we still to hold short of Charlie 8?
QANTAS 108
Qantas 108, thank you. We’re talking to our company now; they might be sending us to a different gate. Should we stay stopped here before the Charlie 8 intersection for now?
ATC
Qantas 108 Heavy, you can taxi as able to the gate. Just let me know what gate you’re going to. No one else is moving at this time.
ATC
Qantas 108, you're a large aircraft so take your time driving to the gate. Just let me know which gate you’re heading to. There are no other planes moving around the airport right now.
QANTAS 108
Looks like they’re coming up now. We’ll give you a call once we know.
QANTAS 108
It looks like our ground crew is heading out now. We’ll call you as soon as we know where they want us.
ATC
Finnair 204 Heavy, Los Angeles Tower.
ATC
Finnair 204, this is the Los Angeles control tower.
FINNAIR 204
Go ahead.
FINNAIR 204
Go ahead, we're listening.
ATC
Finnair 204 Heavy, at Foxtrot, cross runway 25 left. Can you accept an intersection departure on runway 25 right at Foxtrot, or do you prefer full length?
ATC
Finnair 204, when you reach taxiway Foxtrot, drive across the first runway. Can you take off from that middle intersection on the next runway, or do you need the full length of the strip to get that big plane in the air?
FINNAIR 204
We’ll take the full length.
FINNAIR 204
We’re going to need the full length of the runway for this one.
ATC
Finnair 204 Heavy, thanks. At Foxtrot, cross runway 25 left, cross runway 25 right, and turn right on taxiway Bravo.
ATC
Finnair 204, thanks. At taxiway Foxtrot, drive across both parallel runways, then make a right turn onto taxiway Bravo.
FINNAIR 204
Okay, cross 25 left and right, right to Bravo, Finnair 204.
FINNAIR 204
Got it, crossing both runways and then turning right onto taxiway Bravo, Finnair 204.
QANTAS 108
And Ground, Qantas 108, we have been cleared onto Gate 48 Bravo by our company.
QANTAS 108
And Tower, this is Qantas 108. Our airline just confirmed we’re cleared to park at Gate 48 Bravo.
ATC
Qantas 108 Heavy, Roger. Proceed on Bravo down to Charlie 10 and then double back for Gate 48 Bravo.
ATC
Qantas 108, I've got you. Drive down taxiway Bravo to the Charlie 10 turn-off, then loop back around to get into Gate 48 Bravo.
QANTAS 108
Proceed on Bravo, Charlie 10, and double back on 48 Bravo, Qantas 108.
QANTAS 108
Driving down Bravo to Charlie 10, then looping back for Gate 48 Bravo. Qantas 108.
ATC
Qantas 108 Heavy, I’ll leave your flight plan open. I’ve amended the proposed time now for 10:30, which is almost an hour from now, and it’s good for an hour and a half after that.
ATC
Qantas 108, I’ll keep your flight paperwork active in the system. I’ve updated your scheduled departure for 10:30—about an hour from now—and that window will stay valid for ninety minutes after that.
QANTAS 108
Thank you very much, Qantas 108.
QANTAS 108
Thank you very much for the help, Qantas 108.
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