CRJ900 flight crew reported rejecting the takeoff roll due to momentary loss of control on acceleration related to failure to center nosewheel steering.
Synopsis
CRJ900 flight crew reported rejecting the takeoff roll due to momentary loss of control on acceleration related to failure to center nosewheel steering.
Narrative
On takeoff from ZZZ; I was PM and the Captain was PF. While lining up to Runway XX; the Captain applied power while the steering tiller was still angled to the left and the airplane veered left towards the side of the runway. The Captain corrected back to the right; but over-corrected and we angled towards the right side of the runway. The airplane oscillated left and right a few times before the Captain reduced the power to idle and used the brakes to stop on the runway. We exited the runway and ran the rejected takeoff checklist. I communicated with the cabin crew while the Captain called the Chief Pilot for help with how to proceed. Another aircraft reported seeing smoke behind our aircraft; which we determined was a result of skidding tires. After consulting; we ran the required checklists and performed the takeoff a second time; uneventfully.Cause: This incident was caused by the power being applied before the nosewheel was centered. Contributing was the attempt to correct the deviation using the tiller instead of immediately stopping the airplane when the loss of directional control occurred. Also contributing was a short runway which led to the Captain wanting to apply power more quickly before the airplane rolled too far down the runway.Suggestions: Emphasize importance of centering the nosewheel before applying power on takeoff
Second reporter narrative
Rejected takeoff due to not being aligned with centerlineCause: While taxiing onto Runway XX for departure; I made a sharp left to align with centerline while attempting to use as little runway as possible. While making the turn I started to advance the thrust to begin the takeoff roll prior to being properly aligned with centerline with the tiller still turned to the left. As I began to reach centerline I still had the tiller turned far to the left and started to pull it back to the neutral position; however; I had turned about 20 degrees past centerline. Thrust was still advanced to roughly 65-75%. I tried to correct my oversteer by turning the rudder back right as airspeed increased. During the correction I overcorrected to the right. This began a series of overcorrecting left and right of centerline. The FO (First Officer) and I felt at this point we did not have directional control and I reduced power to idle and discontinued the takeoff. During this event the FO and I estimate that airspeed never reached more than 60 kts. and we never used more than 500 feet of runway. After leaving the runway we completed the rejected takeoff checklist and post rejected takeoff considerations. We then completed the flight as normal.Suggestions: Allow yourself to be fully aligned with runway centerline prior to advancing the throttles past what is necessary to taxi onto the runway. Start the turn to centerline earlier as strong tiller movements can be harder to anticipate when to start bring the tiller back to a neutral state. Slow down and take your time; do not rush.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.