Fairchild SA227-AC, VH-CUZ

The pilot reported that shortly after commencing the take-off roll the Metroliner began tracking to the right of the runway centreline. The crew discontinued the take-off, taxied back to the end of the runway and subsequently completed a normal take-off. In both instances, the nosewheel steering had not been engaged.

The operations department of the company believed that the aircraft had been modified in accordance with a service bulletin that prohibited the use of nose-wheel steering for take-off and landing. A check of documentation following the incident revealed that the modification had not been installed in the aircraft. The correct procedure in this case was for the nosewheel steering to be engaged for take-off.