A captain describes the violent; sharp 'yank' force he felt on the control yoke during two takeoff r...

Narrative:

Captain's leg; takeoff on runway 22L. At around 60 KT I felt a sharp 'yank' force on the yoke and decided to abort the takeoff; thinking we have hit an object or the steering has failed. We determine that the steering works normally and have no EICAS messages. We taxied clear of the runway and I call maintenance control. We reset the steering; and the maintenance controller advises no history of steering anomalies on this aircraft. We had advised tower of possible FOD on the runway; but the resulting FOD check was negative. Brake temperature and fuel status are ok; so first officer and I are both comfortable trying another takeoff. Taxi back to [runway] 22L; begin takeoff roll. Passing 100 KTS; I feel the 'yank' again only this time followed by two sharp pulls to the left; so I execute a high speed abort. Brake temperatures are ok to taxi; and steering works again with no EICAS messages. We taxi directly back to a gate and deplane. Maintenance notified; and the aircraft was towed away to maintenance. Aircraft [was] under positive control at all times. Takeoff roll; steering malfunction; flight delayed.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Captain describes the violent; sharp 'yank' force he felt on the Control Yoke during two takeoff rolls that included two sharp pulls to the left; resulting in two Rejected Take-Offs (RTOs) on the same EMB-145 aircraft. No EICAS messages displayed.

Narrative: Captain's leg; takeoff on Runway 22L. At around 60 KT I felt a sharp 'yank' force on the yoke and decided to abort the takeoff; thinking we have hit an object or the steering has failed. We determine that the steering works normally and have no EICAS messages. We taxied clear of the runway and I call Maintenance Control. We reset the steering; and the Maintenance Controller advises no history of steering anomalies on this aircraft. We had advised Tower of possible FOD on the runway; but the resulting FOD check was negative. Brake Temperature and Fuel Status are OK; so First Officer and I are both comfortable trying another takeoff. Taxi back to [Runway] 22L; begin takeoff roll. Passing 100 KTS; I feel the 'yank' again only this time followed by two sharp pulls to the left; so I execute a high speed abort. Brake temperatures are OK to taxi; and steering works again with no EICAS messages. We taxi directly back to a gate and deplane. Maintenance notified; and the aircraft was towed away to Maintenance. Aircraft [was] under positive control at all times. Takeoff roll; steering malfunction; flight delayed.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1183341
Time
Date	201406
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Dusk
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Takeoff
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Nosewheel Steering
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown

A captain describes the violent; sharp 'yank' force he felt on the control yoke during two takeoff rolls that included two sharp pulls to the left; resulting in two rejected take-offs (rtos) on the same emb-145 aircraft. No EICAS messages displayed.