EMB-145 flight crew reported receiving a hydraulic system low quantity warning message after takeoff and eventual system failure. Flight crew returned to departure airport and after landing the aircraft was towed off the runway.
Synopsis
EMB-145 flight crew reported receiving a hydraulic system low quantity warning message after takeoff and eventual system failure. Flight crew returned to departure airport and after landing the aircraft was towed off the runway.
Narrative
Upon gear retraction on take off on XXR in ZZZ; I noticed that a message appeared on the EICAS indicating that the HYD 1 QTY was low. I took note; and focused on flying the departure. At first I looked at the Multi-function Flight Display (MFD) page and noticed the QTY was solidly in the middle of the yellow band. I stressed that we need the Hyd 1 Low QTY" checklist and that it is not a system failure yet per-se. However after waiting a few seconds I looked again at the QTY indication and saw it was now at the bottom of the indicator. I had a feeling that something more than the hydraulic quantity was wrong. It was at this point I said to disregard the low QTY prepare for the 'HYD SYS 1 Failure' checklist. Sure enough; as I pushed ALT on the autopilot (AP) panel to level the climb off at 10000ft and brought the thrust levers back to keep the speed below 250; I heard the master caution for Aileron system 1 INOP and Hydraulic system 1 Fail and nose gear doors fall down. It was at this point; I [requested priority handling]; and requested vectors back to ZZZ. We ran the checklist without issue and prepared for a landing on XXC in ZZZ because I felt it was the longest available runway. We thankfully were not overweight so there was no need to burn fuel; and the weather conditions were almost perfectly favorable . During this incident; I was able to give an brief to our Flight Attendant (FA) who prepared the cabin for a normal landing. And was able to delegate to my FO to ACARS the company our intentions. We briefed a normal landing with a longer roll out even with reverse thrust. And we briefed that it was essential that we made the beginning of the touchdown zone. We also briefed the protocol of the use of reversers in this scenario and how I'd have to keep 1 lever at normal idle and 2 over the gate to command reverse thrust in order to get reverse thrust. After all this we completed the landing with no issues other than a longer than normal roll out. Directional control was not a factor; all felt normal including on the roll out and subsequent taxi off the high speed (taxiway). We stopped had the fire trucks inspect us due to the potential high temps on the inboard brake assemblies. Nothing was abnormal except for they were a little hotter than usual. After this we did a normal after landing check; and then a gate tow in procedure found in the AOM to prepare the aircraft for a super tug to bring us to our gate. After this we secured normally deplaned normally and proceeded to our next aircraft to complete the turn."
Second reporter narrative
After a normal takeoff off XXR the crew noticed an advisory EICAS message HYD SYS1 LOW QTY. FO noticed the message and immediately went to the HYD systems page on the Multi-function Flight Display (MFD). Both CA and FO noticed HYD SYS 1 in the amber and quantity flashing low. CA who was flying called for QRH HYD SYS1 LOW QTY. FO went to the QRH and CA mentioned be ready for a full hydraulic system 1 failure. Once at the QRH page the caution message for the system failure appeared and the FO went right to that QRH. CA and FO both decided to level out at 10000 ft. and decided a Return to Field (RTF) was necessary. CA stated they will take radio while FO was doing QRH. The [request for priority handling was made] and stated that we would be returning to ZZZ. FO finished the QRH and took back over on radio. CA called the Flight Attendant (FA) for an report. FO set up for the visual XXC backed up with the ILS. After CA was done with the FA; a discussion of dropping the gear manually early was talked about and decided to be dropped early on the descent back to be sure it came down and locked. FO asked ATC to bring emergency equipment out to meet us upon landing and that we would need a tow to the gate. After landing ATC asked if we could exit the runway on a high speed and CA felt comfortable and vacated the runway. Emergency equipment came to the aircraft to check for damages with none reported. FO and CA performed an after landing and a tow to gate checklist. After the tow to gate a check in with the FA was made in passengers and no injuries reported.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.