2011-06 · NASA ASRS report 954773
A MD80 Tail Compartment Temp High light illuminated after takeoff so the crew completed the QRH; declared an emergency; and the flight returned to the departure airport.
Shortly after takeoff (200-300 FT) AGL I noticed the Tail Compartment Hot light illuminated. I pointed it out to the Captain and he began the Red Box items. Dealing with the emergency procedures and anticipating an immediate return to the departure airport caused me to delay engagement of the autopilot and NAV. I asked the Captain if he wanted me to declare an emergency. Initially he said that if the light went out within 2 minutes then no emergency would be necessary. The Captain then pulled out the QRH and determined that we would need to return and to declare an emergency. In dealing with the emergency we had some discussion as to how long the light stayed on after the QRH items were accomplished (approximately four and one half minutes). In my mind this lead to a sense of urgency in getting the aircraft safely on the ground due to a possible bleed leak. I concurred with the Captain's decision to declare an emergency and return. We made our intentions known with ATC and discussed the need for the Captain to make the landing. We made a positive transfer of the controls and the Captain made an outstanding overweight landing. We stopped the aircraft in front of Airport Rescue Fire Fighters and asked them to examine the aircraft tail for heat and or damage. We were given a verbal acknowledgment that the tail looked good and the ATC gave us a clearance to taxi to the gate. Airport Rescue Fire Fighters followed us.
On climb out after takeoff at about 1;500 AGL the Tail Compartment High Temp light came ON. I had done the memory items and started the clock. I noticed that the aircraft had drifted east of centerline. I told the First Officer to fly the aircraft and get back on the centerline of the departure while I got out the QRH. I called on the radio to Departure Control that we had a problem and needed to return to the departure airport. I found that I was talking to Tower so the frequency had not been change. I declared an emergency; took over as pilot flying and was vectored to 18 and landed at 138;900 LBS. The landing was smooth and we pulled off on the high speed taxiway while Airport Rescue Fire Fighters checked the aircraft over. They then followed us to the gate.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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