Date: 201203
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Dawn
Aircraft: B757-200
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Takeoff / Launch
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Aircraft component: Autoflight Yaw Damper
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Workload; Fatigue; Time Pressure; Human-Machine Interface
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Other Takeoff Roll
Result: Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: All operations from check-in to line-up and wait were normal and went well. After clearance to take off I released brakes; stabilized throttles and advanced for take-off; pushed EPR. It was still dark. I saw an EICAS message for YAW DAMPER and commenced abort procedures. Started with autothrottles OFF and was beginning to retard the throttles when I heard the First Officer make the 80 KTS call and what sounded like 'continue.' I had already started moving the throttles toward idle and rejected the take off. The First Officer said he was not surprised as he saw my hand moving - I did not call aborting takeoff or reject. I directed the First Officer to notify Tower; with no assistance required. I had disengaged the RTO as we were very light with more than adequate runway remaining. I allowed the aircraft to continue rolling and exited the runway at Y while the First Officer made the 'remain seated' call. We waited for taxi instructions (brakes were not set) and the First Officer reviewed the checklists. Weight/speed good. I thought the max speed attained was 100-110; First Officer felt 110-120 we used the higher speed. Continued to gate where airplane is chocked and brakes are released. [We] made PA for passengers. After confirming from Contract Maintenance the airplane still had to sit for one hour; [we] coordinated with station to remove passengers. Station [was] very helpful through entire situation. We both feel the outcome was successful and handled with ease. We were very light (185;000); momentary RTO and cool temperature (13C) and Maintenance Manual still showed 1 hour wait; brakes were ice cold. At the gate I talked to the flight attendants and they indicated everything was fine; no passengers were upset and they heard the 'remain seated' call. Some other factors affecting our flight today was the early report time; we had already mentioned drive times in and how much sleep we had. We both felt issues with all nighters being paired with early departures with minimum/no recovery time or minimum days off is always a factor/threat.


Second narrative: [Narrative 2 had no new information]


Synopsis: A B757 crew described a 100 KTS rejected takeoff because of an EICAS YAW DAMPER alert. The crew arrived on late night flight and were departing prior to sunrise so fatigue was felt.