EMB-145 flight crew reported a primary pitch trim failure on climb out and returned to landing at departure airport.
Synopsis
EMB-145 flight crew reported a primary pitch trim failure on climb out and returned to landing at departure airport.
Narrative
Aircraft X ZZZ-ZZZ1 with two alternates. Shortly after takeoff while climbing through about 7;000 ft. we got an EICAS Warning 'PTRIM MAIN INOP' in association with me adjusting the trim. I took the radios and continued hand flying and had the First Officer (FO) run the QRH. I decided to return to field but I knew we would be very overweight. The QRH for our scenario did not have us turn off the Autopilot. I engaged the Autopilot and handed controls and radios to the FO. I reviewed the QRH again as the FO was new I wanted to be certain everything was correct (it was). We entered a hold in VMC over ZZZ2 at 4;000 ft. with the Autopilot on. I contacted company via ACARS and informed the Flight Attendant (FA) we would be returning to the field. I ran the QRH for an overweight landing and got the aircraft set up for landing and an approach briefing. During our time in the hold ATC had declared us a priority aircraft. While in the hold with the Autopilot on the FO brought to my attention that the Autopilot was not maintaining altitude. We were set up to land already so I took flight controls back; disengaged the Autopilot; and the FO had the radios. We informed ATC we were ready for the approach and performed an overweight landing. I pulled off the runway and made an announcement to the passengers. Then I called Dispatch and Maintenance to make sure it was ok to taxi in after the overweight landing. We determined it was. ATC had the emergency vehicles out along the runway for us. After landing ATC asked if we needed any more services. Since the emergency vehicles were already out I asked if they could follow us to the gate just out of caution. Everything seemed normal on the taxi in and the emergency vehicles agreed. We parked at the gate where Maintenance met us and took the plane. A recurring problem with this aircraft and its main pitch trim. This aircraft was written up and signed off earlier in the day for the same issue around the same phase of flight.
Second reporter narrative
Shortly after running the after takeoff checklist; a warning 'PTRIM MAIN INOP' presented itself on the EICAS. Within a few seconds later; a caution AUTO TRIM FAIL also popped up on the EICAS. The Captain assumed control of the flight controls and radios; and directed me run the QRH for the malfunction. I then turned to EAP 8-4 PTRIM MAIN INOP of the QRH and confirmed it with the Captain before proceeding to reading it. After thoroughly running through the QRH; it directed us to a landing configuration. That is where I paused on the QRH until we were closer to returning back to the field. Meanwhile all that was happening; the Captain was communicating with ATC. Informing them of the pitch trim malfunction on board and how he would like to return to the field. They asked if a [request for priority handling was being made] and he said no; not at this time. Just wanting to return to the field. They vectored us around for the ILS XR. At that point; the Captain called the Flight Attendant to let her know of the situation and that we will be returning back to the field. As he was doing that I was setting up the FMS. We then switched responsibility; so the Captain can also run the QRH to assure that nothing was missed. I assumed the flight controls and radios and he proceeded to run the QRH. As ATC was vectoring us around; the Captain realized we would be overweight for landing. He then informed ATC that we will need more time in the air to burn off fuel. They sent us to ZZZ2 and hold at 4;000 ft. The Captain ran the overweight landing QRH. While in the hold; I noticed the Autopilot could not maintain altitude. I disconnected the Autopilot and got back to altitude and informed the Captain. After 3 turns in the hold; the captain concluded we wouldn't burn enough fuel needed to be underweight and that the best course of action would be to land. ATC vectored us back for the ILS XR and informed us emergency personnel would be on the ground on standby. We landed smoothly on the ground. The Captain made a PA announcement to the back informing everyone what was going on. He then talked to Maintenance and we proceeded to our gate. The captain and I went over the logbook before pushing back and saw that the PTRIM MAIN INOP was marked down by another crew. But maintenance has closed out the write up.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.