2025-07 · NASA ASRS report 2268645
B737 flight crew reported the nose wheel steering failed during landing roll and they were unable to clear the runway.
After touchdown; decelerating through 110 kts the aircraft began to experience heavy vibrations. As the aircraft continued to slow; the airframe vibrations intensified. Decelerating through 90 kts; I took control of the aircraft. The aircraft didn't pull to either side. Engine indications appeared normal. The aircraft continued to decelerate normally. Stopping on the runway was assured. Below 10 kts; the vibration slowed. I attempted to turn left on to a taxiway in an effort to clear the runway. After the turn was initiated; I discovered that I had no steering control so I stopped the aircraft; set the parking brake; and informed Tower that we were disabled.I checked in with the flight attendants and made a PA to the passengers informing them we had a steering failure and required a tow. We called operations and then maintenance to inform them of the situation. We submitted ELBs (Electronic Logbook). They continued to keep us updated on the recovery plan. I made regular PAs to the passengers to keep them informed. Due to the extended delay; I directed the flight attendants to distribute water and snacks. As the air stairs and buses arrived; maintenance was able to attach the tug to the aircraft. We elected to choose the tow option to expedite getting passengers to the gate.
Upon a smooth landing approximately 2-2.5 thousand feet down Runway XXR with auto brakes 3 engaged; plane started a small buffet. As buffeting increased as we slow; I got on the brakes approximately 100 knots; and the Captain took the controls between 80-90 knots as the buffet became heavy. Braking action appeared normal despite the vibrations. The airplane never pulled but the pronounced buffet delayed our attempt to turn off the runway until the end at Taxiway 1. The buffet dissipated somewhat around 10 knots and an attempt to turn off at 5 knots confirmed that there was no steering authority. Tower asked us to expedite and I informed them unable and we were stopping on Taxiway 1 and on Rwy XXR. ZZZ visually confirmed pin was missing and nose gear was perpendicular to the aircraft. After approximately an hour and a half; maintenance was later able to remove a nose gear door and capture the skewed nose gear to tow us back to the gate.
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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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