A321
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Human-Machine Interface; Troubleshooting; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; General Maintenance Action
Procedure; Human Factors; Aircraft
During takeoff roll; the jet's nose began to rise when the First Officer (FO) reduced forward side stick pressure to neutral. I visually noticed the jet's nose rising and holding a nose up pitch. The mains didn't feel as if they had extended struts and lifted off. I checked the side stick indications on the PFD (Primary Flight Display) and it had been removed so the jet definitely thought we were in the air. The FO applied forward command of the side stick but not enough to force the nose wheel back to the ground. He didn't want the jet to go into the landing mode with max auto brakes already selected as we do normally for takeoff. By this time I checked the airspeed and it indicated 120 KIAS (approx 40 below V1). We continued to accelerate to V1 and Vr. I told the First Officer to use caution on rotation. He neutralized the side stick and the jet had enough elevator command in neutral position to gain altitude. As we moved into the 2nd segment of the climb; the jet flew normally due to the auto trim adjustment after takeoff. When we reached TOC (Top of Climb); we reviewed our actions including trim settings and performance numbers for takeoff and everything checked out as normal. I even remember checking the performance trim setting against the CG trim setting in the Fuel Pred page of the FMGC after engine start (my normal 'gross error' check on every flight). We could only determine that the jet may have been loaded in error or the load numbers were reported with an error to Maintenance so we sent an ACARS message to the Dispatcher asking for a baggage loading audit on arrival. Dispatch responded telling us the Sector Manager would command the audit at our arrival. Request result of load audit for any ASAP recommendations.
A321 Captain reported side stick malfunctioned during take off. Captain further reported corrective action by First Officer allowed flight to continue safely.