Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; General Declared Emergency
Weather; Aircraft
During climbout the Tail Compartment Temp high light illuminated. Performed the Memory items and followed the QRH procedure and the light extinguished. This was followed by the failure of the left pack. Declared an emergency and returned. Briefed the flight attendants; explained reason for our return to the passengers. Contacted Operations; and requested Operations contact Dispatch. [We] sent a message to Dispatch informing Dispatch of our situation. Requested ARFF observe the aircraft and follow us to the gate. Passengers deplaned upon arrival at gate.
MD83 flight crew experiences a tail compartment temp high during climbout and returns to the departure airport.