Narrative:

About half way to the runway; after starting the number one engine; we experienced a substantial nose wheel shimmy. Although no messages posted to the EICAS; I determined there was no longer any nose wheel steering. I brought the aircraft to a stop and assessed the situation. Another aircraft behind us told us that our torque link was no longer connected. While stopped; the first officer worked with operations to get us a gate to return to; in order to have maintenance inspect the nosewheel and verify there was no damage. While this was occurring; I briefed the flight attendant and passengers of the situation. After taxiing a brief distance; and making a turn onto another taxiway; utilizing differential braking and thrust; I felt it was safe to taxi to the taxiway nearest our gate; and be towed in. Upon pulling up in front of the gate; we worked with operations and a ramp agent re-secure the torque link. We were able to pull into our gate under our own power and directional control. Upon arriving at the gate; I immediately briefed the passengers of the delay and that maintenance would be with us shortly. I then contacted our dispatcher to let him know of the situation. I was then passed to maintenance control to brief them of the situation; and let them know that we wanted a mechanic to inspect the nose gear. During taxi-in; operations let our dispatcher and maintenance know of our situation. The dispatcher asked if it was a situation which could be reset without a gate return; but because it was an actual torque link disconnect we had to make a gate return. After a few minutes at the gate; a mechanic arrived at the aircraft and inspected the nose gear. After he was sure that there was no damage; he signed off the discrepancy. After receiving a little bit of fuel to return us to our ramp weight; we were able to continue without any further issues.ramp agents failed to properly reconnect the torque link after pushback. Prior to push; we could over hear the ramp agents discussing the torque link disconnect and reconnect procedures. They seemed very confused and uncomfortable during their conversation; but one agent seemed sure of himself and his knowledge on reconnecting the link. In any case; the ramp agents at this station are unfamiliar with the procedure.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CRJ200 Captain experienced a torque link disconnect during taxi; rendering nose wheel steering inoperative. Link had been improperly reconnected by ramp workers after pushback.

Narrative: About half way to the runway; after starting the number one engine; we experienced a substantial nose wheel shimmy. Although no messages posted to the EICAS; I determined there was no longer any nose wheel steering. I brought the aircraft to a stop and assessed the situation. Another aircraft behind us told us that our torque link was no longer connected. While stopped; the First Officer worked with operations to get us a gate to return to; in order to have maintenance inspect the nosewheel and verify there was no damage. While this was occurring; I briefed the Flight Attendant and passengers of the situation. After taxiing a brief distance; and making a turn onto another taxiway; utilizing differential braking and thrust; I felt it was safe to taxi to the taxiway nearest our gate; and be towed in. Upon pulling up in front of the gate; we worked with operations and a ramp agent re-secure the torque link. We were able to pull into our gate under our own power and directional control. Upon arriving at the gate; I immediately briefed the passengers of the delay and that maintenance would be with us shortly. I then contacted our Dispatcher to let him know of the situation. I was then passed to Maintenance Control to brief them of the situation; and let them know that we wanted a mechanic to inspect the nose gear. During taxi-in; Operations let our Dispatcher and Maintenance know of our situation. The Dispatcher asked if it was a situation which could be reset without a gate return; but because it was an actual torque link disconnect we had to make a gate return. After a few minutes at the gate; a mechanic arrived at the aircraft and inspected the nose gear. After he was sure that there was no damage; he signed off the discrepancy. After receiving a little bit of fuel to return us to our ramp weight; we were able to continue without any further issues.Ramp agents failed to properly reconnect the torque link after pushback. Prior to push; we could over hear the ramp agents discussing the torque link disconnect and reconnect procedures. They seemed very confused and uncomfortable during their conversation; but one agent seemed sure of himself and his knowledge on reconnecting the link. In any case; the ramp agents at this station are unfamiliar with the procedure.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.