2024-04 · NASA ASRS report 2113012
B737 flight crew reported the aircraft veered uncontrollably to the right during takeoff roll. Captain rejected takeoff and returned to the gate.
Cleared for takeoff RWY XX in ZZZ from full length Intersection 1. Tower cleared us for takeoff; we pulled out onto RWY and I aligned aircraft with centerline; I straightened aircraft out and rolled straight ahead on centerline. Approximately 2 seconds after alignment on centerline I instructed First Officer; your aircraft"; he stated "my aircraft." We brought thrust levers up; paused and then advanced thrust towards takeoff setting. Almost immediately the aircraft had a hard uncommanded yaw to the right. Initially we thought it might have been nose wheel deflection. However; it yawed to the right for unknown reason. When we were approximately 10-15 degrees right of centerline; I called "reject; my aircraft." I performed a long speed rejected takeoff and we informed Tower and notified passengers to remain seated. We exited runway at Taxiway 2 and stopped aircraft. Rejected takeoff items were completed. No immediate danger. Low speed reject. Less than 10kts. QRC procedures were followed but checklist not read. Interrupted by Tower calling. However; we did inadvertently complete all items on all checklist. We taxied 2 engine back to Gate XX and notified Maintenance; Dispatch; and Chief Pilot for debrief. I performed a post flight inspection and found no leaks or damage to nose tire; nose gear; main gear; brakes; engines. No damage or excessive wear found by myself or tech ops. FO and I debriefed before heading to new aircraft. I debriefed and talked with flight attendants on the way to new outbound air aft. All crew verbally stated that they were good to continue. Chief Pilot debriefed via phone."
The Captain gave me aircraft control once we were pointed straight down the runway; with the throttles about 30% N1. I pushed them up to around 70% and pressed the TOGA button. Immediately following this; while the power was still coming up and before the check thrust" call the aircraft started to veer to the right. Not dramatically but enough to bring the nose of the aircraft away from centerline. I suspected the wind pushing the tail and tried to correct using full left rudder. The aircraft did not turn back toward the left so I held the throttles where they were somewhere in the middle and applied differential break as a reflex to keep from getting further from centerline. The Captain said "reject; I have the controls" and brought the thrust levers to idle and aircraft to a stop. We estimate we were only moving around 10 knots at the time of reject and the aircraft was about 15 feet right of centerline with a 10-15 degree angle away from it. We asked Tower to taxi off the runway and were able to talk about what happened and come up with a plan to return to the gate. No emergency was declared."
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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