Abort

Abort refers to the decision to discontinue a planned maneuver, most commonly a takeoff (rejected takeoff or RTO) or an approach (missed approach). During takeoff, the decision to abort must be made before reaching V1 speed — beyond that point, the aircraft is committed to becoming airborne.

Common reasons for aborting a takeoff include engine failure, tire blowout, fire warning, bird strike, runway incursion, or an unreliable airspeed indication. Aborting at high speed carries its own risks, including brake overheating and runway overrun, which is why the decision framework is highly structured and practiced regularly in simulator training.