Regional Jet CL65; Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 2400; Flight Crew Type 1650
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft
After being delayed for a spoileron fault; we departed with normal indications. After climbing above 10;000 FT we started to accelerate and at that time it was noticeable that the yaw damper had failed and the rudder was going back and forth. We were able to keep control of the airplane; slowed to 250 KTS; declared an emergency and returned to [departure airport]. We landed there and taxied in with no other issues or injuries.
A CRJ-50 First Officer reported noticing after departure the yaw damper had failed resulting in abnormal rudder movement. They declared an emergency and returned to departure airport.