Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human-Machine Interface
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft
We completed a normal landing and came to almost a complete stop on the runway before initiating a smooth 90 degree left turn to exit onto the taxiway. I was the Captain and pilot flying. Approximately 70 degrees through the turn the nose wheel steering disengaged and the aircraft began to drift toward the edge of the paved surface. I applied the brakes and came to a stop while still on the runway. We notified ATC that we had a malfunction with the nose wheel steering and were unable to move at the moment so they closed the runway. We also notified the flight attendants and passengers of the malfunction and asked them to remain seated until we gave them further instructions. Then through the use of the QRH and coordination with Dispatch and Maintenance Control we tried to reset the nose wheel steering several times. I primarily communicated with ATC and the flight attendants while the First Officer communicated with operations and Maintenance Control via ACARS and the number 2 radio. We were unsuccessful in resetting the system and so we requested a tug to help us clear the runway and pull us to the gate. Approximately 10 minutes later; with instructions from Maintenance Control; we tried one more time to reset the system by turning the nose wheel steering switch off and pulling both associated circuit breakers on Panels 1 and 2. We were successful this time in re-engaging the nose wheel steering. However; we were too close to the edge of the runway to execute a safe turn and so the tug pushed us clear of the runway edge first and then we taxied to the gate under our own power without further incident. Upon reaching the gate; we had maintenance personal inspect the aircraft and clear the write up. The biggest initial threat was the potential to drift off the paved surface into the grass while actively turning with no nose wheel steering control. When we came to a stop on the runway; we were then concerned with notifying ATC of our disabled condition so they could prevent aircraft behind us from landing on the runway. We also notified the flight attendants and passengers as soon as possible so they would not prematurely evacuate the aircraft since it was clear we were not clearing the runway and taxiing as normal. While we came to almost a complete stop before executing the initial turn off the runway; the turn was sharper than a normal runway exit. There was no 'high speed' exit on this particular runway that I recall and so it necessitated a 90 degree turn instead of the more typical gradual turn off. We were also behind schedule and so I elected to exit the runway prior to rolling all the way to the end in order to save time. I do not know if starting the turn earlier or slowing even further would have made a difference but the turn was sharper than that of a typical high speed exit. So far as I know; we followed the proper procedures and coordinated with all the necessary parties once the event occurred. In the future I will likely be less time sensitive and allow the aircraft to roll to a more gradual stop in order to make a more gradual turn when exiting the runway.
CRJ700 Captain experiences nose wheel steering failure during taxi off the runway after landing; requiring the aircraft to be stopped quickly to prevent departing the paved surface. The nose wheel steering is eventually reset electrically; but a tug is required to push the aircraft back from the taxiway edge before a turn can be made.