EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
Just after rotation my First Officer saw that the EICAS has the HYD2 LO QTY advisory message. At our first level off at 4;000 feet we turned the autopilot on and ran the QRH for this message. The situation seemed to be fine; all systems operating normally and continued to monitor the system. Upon further climb the engine driven hydraulic pump failed and the standby hydraulic pump took over. We then ran the QRH for that specific problem. The problem still didn't remedy itself and we lost hydraulic system 2. We ran the QRH for that problem. The final part of this problem happened at FL260. We ACARS messaged Dispatch; notified Maintenance and Ops that we would be doing an air return for HYD SYS 2 failure. We followed the QRH and operated the aircraft accordingly. [After landing] we were followed to the gate by ARFF with no other incident. When we got off the aircraft there was a mechanic there to greet us. We went to the tail of the aircraft and found that one of the drains was leaking hydraulic fluid. The QRH gave great guidance and procedures.
[Narrative 2 had no additional information.]
EMB-145EP flight crew reported loss of Number 2 hydraulic system. An emergency was declared and they returned to departure airport.