B737-800 flight crew reported the aircraft pulling to the right upon application of takeoff power; with normal engine indications and a crosswind from the other direction. The Captain rejected the takeoff in the low speed regime and returned to the gate for a maintenance inspection.
Synopsis
B737-800 flight crew reported the aircraft pulling to the right upon application of takeoff power; with normal engine indications and a crosswind from the other direction. The Captain rejected the takeoff in the low speed regime and returned to the gate for a maintenance inspection.
Narrative
I was pilot flying for our takeoff from ZZZ on XXC. The takeoff was initially normal with engines stabilized at 40% N1 when I took control of the aircraft. After pressing TOGA and starting the takeoff roll; I noticed a pull to the right requiring a large amount of left rudder. I glanced at the engines gauges suspecting a split or engine malfunction; but both N1s were matched. Around this time I had put in full left rudder to maintain centerline and with the knowledge of the left crosswind and symmetrical thrust; I knew something wasn't right. Upon voicing my concerns to the captain; he rejected the takeoff; we announced the reject to tower; and we proceeded to exit the runway to assess what happened in a safe environment. We notified the flight attendants in order to alleviate their concerns and prevent any unnecessary actions in the cabin. After setting the brake in a hold position on the ramp; we conferred with maintenance and returned to the gate. Cause: Causal factors were unknown and unless maintenance has determined the cause; they are still unknown.
Second reporter narrative
We were cleared to line up and wait on runway XXC at ZZZ. I had both engine's thrust set to about 40% N1 as I turned to line up with the runway. As soon as we were aligned; the tower controller cleared us for takeoff. It was the First Officer's turn to fly; so I as I transferred control to him I advised him that the thrust was already up a little. After he pressed the TOGA button I observed both engines advance simultaneously to the thrust set. At about 50 knots the First Officer said something is not right; it is pulling hard to the right. So I rejected the takeoff at that point. The aircraft stayed on the centerline throughout the takeoff roll & reject. However; he said he initially had to apply full left rudder and then slightly less than full after that. We had a crosswind from the left so it should've required right rudder not left. All engine indications were normal and the aircraft steered normally during taxi. After we cleared the runway we talked to the flight attendants and passengers; as well as Maintenance Control and local maintenance. I entered the event in the Logbook. We returned to the gate and swapped into a different aircraft. We departed the gate in the new aircraft about 1 hour & 45 minutes later. Cause: We are not sure what caused this to happen. Aircraft maintenance is trying to figure that out.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.