Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Training / Qualification; Time Pressure; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Flight Crew Rejected Takeoff
Aircraft; Procedure; Human Factors
During takeoff on Runway 4; (First Officer flying); at very beginning of takeoff roll; engines spooling up; it was apparent the First Officer was having difficulty tracking runway centerline and the aircraft began to deviate to the right. I then made the decision to reject the takeoff. The reject was performed at very low speed (less than 40 KTS) and at about 10 FT to the right of the runway centerline. I maintained aircraft control and we exited the runway. I made the PA for passengers and crew to remain seated as per SOP's. After clearing runway the First Officer and I evaluated the situation and both agreed that the runway tracking issue was most likely a direct result of a white 'STEER OFF' EICAS message. For whatever reason the message appeared just before applying takeoff thrust and I had no concern because the message means the nose wheel steering is disengaged and we would not need it for takeoff. The message consequently disappeared just before exiting the runway after engaging the nose wheel steering tiller. We both agreed the airplane was in good condition to fly (no indications of malfunction and brake temperatures well in limits) and to attempt another takeoff. I made a brief PA to the passengers explaining the situation and that we would be continuing to our filed destination. After performing another TAXI checklist we received takeoff clearance from Tower and proceeded to our destination without further incident. Upon reaching our destination I informed Operations Control of the incident. Lateral aircraft control during takeoff is by use of rudder but not at the low speed we were at. At that speed the pilot flying has limited control of nose wheel steering which I believe diminishes as speed increases. Therefore at the low speed and the aircraft not being perfectly aligned with the runway centerline probably gave us the resultant control issue. In hindsight I was mistaken to believe having no nose wheel steering would be of little consequence. I would suggest proper monitoring of EICAS messages and to not attempt a takeoff with STEER OFF unless it is part of an approved MEL procedure.]
An ERJ190 Captain rejected the takeoff at about 40 KTS after the EICAS alerted STEER OFF and the First Officer had difficulty controlling the aircraft's track which veered right of the runway centerline.