A319 flight crew reported misaligned nose wheel resulted in a rejected takeoff with momentary loss of aircraft control.
Synopsis
A319 flight crew reported misaligned nose wheel resulted in a rejected takeoff with momentary loss of aircraft control.
Narrative
We were cleared to back taxi on runway XX in ZZZ. I accomplished the back taxi and did a 180° turn back to the center of the runway; at that moment tower cleared us for takeoff. I brought thrust levers up to stabilize thrust and then advanced thrust levers for takeoff. Immediately the aircraft started veering to the left; so I reduced the thrust to idle and regained control of the aircraft using the tiller. The reject was immediate and we canceled our takeoff and taxi off the runway. Once accomplishing the rejected takeoff checklist we determined everything was normal and we taxi back for another takeoff with no further incident.Cause: When advancing the thrust to takeoff thrust; it appeared as though the nose wheel was still cranked to the left after the 180° turn however the tiller appeared to be centered. It's as if the nose wheel had gotten stuck in the turn position and wasn't following the command of the tiller. Once I took the tiller and turned it to the right I was able to recenter the nose wheel back to normal. The only mitigation I can consider is maybe rolling forward a few feet after a 180° turn to ensure the nose wheel is properly centered prior to takeoff. We had no other indication that there was an issue.
Second reporter narrative
Backtrack runway XX. Left turn 180 degrees completed. During Takeoff Roll at low speed; an almost immediate RTO due to nose wheel shudder. Continued slow speed taxi and exited runway turning right 90 degrees onto taxiway 1 then right onto Taxiway 2. Checklist actioned for RTO below 80 kts. ATC and passengers advised. Dispatch contacted by phone. Normal takeoff and landing successful without any further issues.Cause: Consider deliberate check of straight nose wheel movement after executing a 180 degree turn on a runway prior to applying full takeoff thrust.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.