A300 flight crew reported experiencing a master warning for avionics smoke after takeoff; resulting in the flight crew returning to the departure airport where they landed safely.
Synopsis
A300 flight crew reported experiencing a master warning for avionics smoke after takeoff; resulting in the flight crew returning to the departure airport where they landed safely.
Narrative
Upon showtime at aircraft; the Master Warning bell was sounding; an Avionics Smoke Overhead Panel annunciation; and an ECAM alert for Avionics Smoke. MX (Maintenance) Cleared the malfunction and signed off. Just after rotation; approximately 1000 MSL; the Master Warning bell rang with the Avionics Smoke alert on ECAM and overhead Avionics Smoke Panel annunciation. Asked ATC for vectors and 10;000 feet or below. Complied with the ECAM message and QRH. This directed a LAND ASAP and donned oxygen masks as a precaution. Though believed to be a nuisance warning; we still requested priority handling with ZZZ Departure with 2 Souls on board and 64K of fuel. Completed all checklists while being vectored and requested the ILS XXC approach into ZZZ. Told Approach and Tower that we planned to taxi clear of XXC at Taxiway 1 & 2 to have Fire Trucks ensure no fire. As captain; I took the aircraft for the approach and the warning bell and malfunction repeatedly occurred. I made the landing; taxied clear and Fire trucks observed no fire indications or smoke. When asked to terminate; we concurred and taxied to the ramp; shut down uneventfully. Cause: Smoke indication in the avionics bay. Maintenance informed us after landing that this airplane had a history of this malfunction.
Second reporter narrative
Upon show at the aircraft; I performed my walk around and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. After climbing the stairs I was informed by the Capt that the Master Warnings with associated Avionics Smoke light and ECAM message was sounding in the cockpit when he arrived. I was asked if I noticed any smoke smell and I replied I did not. I went back down to check the Avionics Cooling outflow and confirmed no smoke smell. Maintenance arrived and checked the Avionics compartment and confirmed no Smoke. He then proceeded to run tests on the system and was able to clear the warnings. With no history of this issue visible to the crew we elected to continue the flight. The rest of the Pre-flight up to Take-Off roll proceeded normally.Very shortly after takeoff the Master Warning sounded with the associated Avionics Smoke Light on the overhead panel and the corresponding ECAM page. Passing through level off altitude I selected AP2 (Autopilot) to continue the climb out and cleaned up the aircraft. We requested a level off and vectors in the local area while we ran the checklist. After completing the After Takeoff checklist I followed the ECAM procedure and used the Sniffer to check for smoke smell and did not detect any. Out of an abundance of caution we elected to use the oxygen masks anyway. After completing the ECAM and QRH procedures we requested vectors to the ILS XXC and requested priority handling. The Capt became the pilot flying for the approach and landing. We requested a fire truck to meet us after clearing the runway to ensure no smoke was exiting out the avionics exhaust outlet. During the approach the same warnings kept annunciating and disappearing numerous times. After landing on XXC we exited at Taxiway 1 and stopped on 2 to let the fire team inspect us. They confirmed no smoke and we taxied to the gate and shut down the aircraft uneventfully. Cause: Smoke Indication in the Avionics Bay. Maintenance informed us upon shutdown that this aircraft had a history of this issue.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.