MD-11
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Troubleshooting; Confusion; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Flight Crew Returned To Gate; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Aircraft
In position on Runway 26L; we were on centerline; with calm winds. Once cleared for takeoff; I transferred aircraft control to the First Officer (Pilot Flying). He called 'Set Standard Power' and as I did so; I noticed he was veering to the left of centerline. Before I could set the power; he said; 'Steer right; steer right; steer right!' I could feel the right rudder pedal was fully deflected. Simultaneously; I also applied full right rudder and reduced the power to idle. The aircraft still was not turning right; so I ultimately had to apply right brake to regain the centerline. We notified the Tower of our reject and they instructed us to taxi down the runway and turn left on [the taxiway]. As we proceeded down the runway; I checked the steering with both the tiller and the rudders. The FO (First Officer) also checked the steering with his rudders. The aircraft responded normally at this point; however; we returned to the gate for further troubleshooting. We are not aware of what caused this un-commanded left turn on the takeoff roll. Maintenance is currently working on the problem. On both taxi-out and taxi-in; the aircraft turned without issue or resistance. The following comments would not prevent this event; but we did discuss the reject procedure. It does seem that it would be advantageous in certain circumstances for the FO to call the reject. In this instance; I did not know that he was holding full right rudder and still turning left. We both thought this procedure should be re-evaluated.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
MD-11 flight crew reported the aircraft started an uncommented turn to the left on takeoff roll which resulted in a rejected takeoff.