Airbus Industrie Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
After departure climbing through 12;000 feet; and increasing speed through approximately 290 knots; ECAM showed Number 1 Engine reverser deployed. We stopped our climb at 13;000 feet and reduced speed. Upon thrust reduction decelerating through 250 knots the indication went away. We were discussing the situation when the light returned. We didn't have any other indications of an actual engine reverser deployment. We decreased the speed further; to 210 knots approximately and the light went out again. We requested vectors back and we landed without event. ATC notified the emergency vehicles as a precaution. The reverser was subsequently MEL'd.
Airbus First Officer experiences ECAM message indicating the Number 1 Engine reverser deployed at 12;000 feet and 290 knots. No actual indication of reverser deployment is felt and upon slowing below 250 knots the indication disappears. The indication reappears and the crew elects to return to the departure airport.