B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Confusion; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
After we were clear for takeoff on the Runway XX; at ZZZ airport. The Captain applied power; he waited for the engine to stabilize; then he pressed TOGA. As the plane started moving; it suddenly started veering to the right. He tried to correct it by pressing the left rudder; but the aircraft did not respond right away. After a few seconds; the plane veer back to the left; but it only went about 45 degrees to the left. After that; the Captain pressed the right rudder and was able to bring it back to control. Furthermore; we stopped at the runway; then; I called the tower to abort the takeoff. Finally; we were able to taxi off the runway and went back to the gate.
Cleared for takeoff Runway XX. Engines spooled up 'taxiing' up to takeoff point on Runway XX. With engines at 40% N1 pushed TOGA button and throttles advanced. We observed the white arcs advancing but the plane didn't seem to be accelerating normally. As I glanced inside to ensure the auto throttles were engaged (they were) the aircraft started to drift right. I tried to correct back with the rudder as we always do but it had no effect. As the right drift continued I rejected the take off and had to use almost full nose wheel tiller to correct back to centerline. We smelled burning rubber; so we taxied clear of the runway and had ARFF (Airport Rescue Firefighting) come inspect the gear and wheels. No problems found by ARFF. Tower had the runway inspected. Nothing found. I had ARFF follow us to the gate where we made an AML entry and had a lengthy discussion with Maintenance. During the takeoff roll the throttles never made it to Takeoff Thrust and I was looking outside the whole time; but the speed achieved was well below 80 kts. Probably around 40-45 kts. In addition; on taxi out when brakes were applied to stop in line they often 'chattered.'We suspected a brake problem or asymmetric thrust.I'm not sure why it happened. I've seen asymmetric thrust before and it is easily corrected with rudder to steer back to centerline. This plane was very difficult to get turning back to the left.
Air carrier flight crew reported the takeoff was rejected after the aircraft drifted to the right and was not responding to rudder inputs.