Definition
A takeoff that is intentionally discontinued before the aircraft becomes airborne, typically by reducing power and applying braking to bring the aircraft to a stop on the remaining runway. The decision to abort is made in response to a problem detected during the takeoff roll, such as an engine anomaly, a warning light, an unsafe airspeed indication, or an obstruction on the runway.
Plain English
Stopping a takeoff while the aircraft is still on the ground because something has gone wrong or doesn't feel right.
Context Anchor
Used in takeoff planning, pilot reports, maintenance write-ups, and accident or incident discussions after a takeoff is stopped on the runway.
Derivation
Abort comes from the Latin aboriri, meaning 'to fail' or 'to miscarry' -- to stop something before it has fully begun. In aviation, an aborted takeoff is one stopped before it has truly started: before the wheels leave the ground.
Why Pilots Care
Allows pilots to avoid potential accidents by halting before liftoff when conditions become unsafe.
Intuition Check
Aborted does not mean the takeoff failed by itself. It means the takeoff was deliberately stopped because continuing was judged unsafe.
Example Sentence 1
When the engine surged during the takeoff roll, the pilot aborted the takeoff and brought the aircraft to a stop with runway to spare.
Example Sentence 2
Aborted takeoffs are practiced on long runways to simulate rejecting takeoff due to tire failure.