A300
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Aircraft
We were cleared for takeoff. The captain aligned the aircraft with the runway and advanced the throttles. Once stable he TOGA the throttles to set flex power. As the aircraft power was applied and the aircraft started moving; it immediately veered to the right. The captain was unable to correct with his rudder pedals and realized he had a nosewheel steering problem. He immediately rejected the takeoff. We notified ATC and accomplished any applicable checklists. He was able to regain steering through the steering lever and we taxied clear of the runway. We were able to return to our gate uneventfully.The problem was caused by a malfunction in the nose wheel steering system.
The aircraft veered right. I applied full rudder while checking the symmetry of the engines. The engines were symmetric and the rudder had no effect; so we rejected at approximately 40 kts. We taxied off the runway when we determined that the tiller steering worked. On taxi in; we felt a catch in the nosewheel steering and felt vibrations as if there was something blocking free movement.
A300 flight crew reported a rejected takeoff due to a malfunctioning nosewheel steering system that could not stop the aircraft from veering to the right.