CRJ50 flight crew experiences two separate instances of nose wheel steering failure after engine start. The crew is then asked to ferry the aircraft for maintenance and they decline.
Synopsis
CRJ50 flight crew experiences two separate instances of nose wheel steering failure after engine start. The crew is then asked to ferry the aircraft for maintenance and they decline.
Narrative
We pushed back from our gate and when the Captain engaged the nose wheel steering during the normal checklist we received the nose wheel steering inoperative caution message. We asked to be towed back to the gate. The Mechanic pulled the appropriate breakers and asked the Captain to test the nose wheel steering again. After three unsuccessful attempts the nose wheel steering engaged at the gate. The Mechanic signed off the aircraft and we pushed off the gate again. When the Captain engaged the nose wheel steering switch again during the normal checklist we received the same nose wheel steering caution message. We were towed back to the gate; the passengers were deplaned and the aircraft was towed by Operations to a remote location. We later found out the scheduled flight was canceled. The Captain had several phone calls with Maintenance Control to update the status of the aircraft. At one point the Mechanic on the phone said they were organizing a 'road trip' and it was a major fix and the plane wouldn't be ready until 5 hours later. We then called Scheduling to inquire about being rescheduled. We were told to report to the aircraft immediately because it was ready to be ferried. Being curious about the conflicting information we again called Maintenance Control and were then told the airplane was 'ops check good' and they could not duplicate the problem and wanted us to ferry the aircraft. The Captain expressed his concern about operating an aircraft that had just proven to us twice that is was not airworthy without further repair. The Mechanic suggested the nose wheel steering would be deferred and it was fine to fly. The Captain told the Mechanic he was not operating the aircraft in the current circumstance. The Mechanic hung up the phone when the Captain stated this. Captain asked me if I was comfortable ferrying the plane with the nose wheel steering inoperative from this field; to which I replied 'no'. Something happened behind the scenes and when we contacted Scheduling again we were told to deadhead to pick up our trip.
Second reporter narrative
After pushing back; the nose wheel steering would not engage. We got a steering inoperative caution message. We coordinated with Operations to tow us back into the gate. I contacted Maintenance Control via a land line; they then had Contract Maintenance come out to the plane. After several attempts the Mechanic was able to get the nose wheel steer reset and working. I then tried the system at least 6 times on/off and full travel at the gate. The system seemed fine; and the Mechanic cleared the write up. We proceeded with a second push back. Again after the push crew reconnected the linkage; the nose wheel steering failed a second time (would not engage); and we had to tow back into the gate. Passengers were deplaned; and the plane was towed to a remote area. Approximately 1.5 hours later I was told the plane was out of service for repairs for at least 6-7 hours. One hour later I was asked by Crew Scheduling/Maintenance Control why I was not at the plane. I was then asked to ferry the aircraft for Maintenance. I questioned if the aircraft had been fixed; I was told that the steering system once again had been reset and was good to fly for a repositioning for maintenance. I explained that I did not feel the problem was resolved and was not comfortable flying the plane. I was then told that the nose wheel steering system could be deferred; and I could do a one time ferry flight. I declined. When questioned by the Maintenance Supervisor; I explained I was not trained to operate the aircraft without nose wheel steering; and felt it was not safe. Prior to this; the First Officer and I had a discussion about the possibility of such a request to fly with an inoperative nose wheel steering; it was agreed that neither of us was comfortable in doing this. Too many safety concerns; if the steering was inoperative or became inoperative.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.