Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance
Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
While the First Officer was just beginning the takeoff roll he noticed that the nose wheel steering was not responding to rudder pedal movement. This determination was made at a speed of about 50 KTS. The takeoff was subsequently rejected. After consultation the airplane returned to the gate for maintenance. Maintenance used an MEL to allow the airplane to operate without rudder pedal steering. Returning to the gate was warranted because of required MEL maintenance procedures.
A B737-400 takeoff was rejected at about 50 KTS because the nose wheel steering was found to be inoperative.