2024-10 · NASA ASRS report 2174244
Challenger 350 flight crew reported an air conditioning and pressurization pack failure and a return to the departure airport.
Shortly after takeoff on the ZZZZZ DP (Departure Procedure) we received a Red CAS (Crew Alert System) PACK Leak". We were below the mountainous terrain and the briefed MSA of 13;000 ft. Immediately asked my FO to run the checklist and notified ATC. As we leveled off at 6;000 I elected to immediately return to the field and notified ATC of our intention. The QRC essentially had us turn off the pressurization which limited our altitude. And at one point as he was running it we had hot air blowing heavy. I felt the safest option was to land as soon as possible. We knew we were overweight however; our data indicated we had more than double the runway required and I knew I could land very softly. We would have needed to burn off approx 5;000 lbs of fuel in mountainous terrain with 3 airports in close proximity with a hot cockpit. And the unknown of what else could have been damaged by the leak. The landing was very smooth; aerodynamic braking until approx. 60 kts and we still had about half the runway remaining."
Shortly after take off we received a red CAS (Crew Alert System) message pack leak". We decided to turn back towards departure airport. Captain was flying utilizing the auto pilot; took over the radios so I could begin running the check list. While completing the checklist the Red Cas message was extinguished as desired outcome. We decided it was best to turn back to the field immediately since we didn't know the extent of the leak. We discussed the fact that we were landing overweight but ultimately decided for safety the best course of action was to immediately land. I performed our procedures for return to the departure airport. I completed appropriate "approach" and "before landing " checklists prior to landing and briefed the performance for the heavy landing. After completion of the "pack leak" checklist there were no further issues. Captain made a Soft Field style landing and utilized aerodynamic breaking on landing. Landing went as planned without incident."
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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