A300
Flight Crew Total 15500; Flight Crew Type 6600
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
ATC gave us a heading to first waypoint; in turn and through about 5;000 FT; ECAM warning of HYD LO LVL GREEN. I verified by seeing green sys quantity indicator at bottom of yellow arc. Pilot not flying confirms and we elect to level off in conjunction with ATC approval. We level off at 7;000 FT. Takes a brief moment to agree to declare an emergency and ask for a box pattern to work the issues. We get clearance to 3;000 and a heading. Pilot not flying runs ECAM and I fly; talk and set up for the approach. We discussed the speed/landing increments; configuration issues with lack of green sys; manual gear extension and loss of nose wheel steering. Operations were notified and ground assistance was arranged for tow off the runway. At this point Captain elected to make the approach and landing. We briefed the approached; rechecked air speeds; manually extended the gear; configured the aircraft; ran approach checklist. ATC vectors for an ILS. Uneventful approach and landing rolled out and stopped. Emergency vehicle met the aircraft and company tow soon after. Aircraft was towed into the company ramp. Mechanic escorted us back to the left wheel well. Hydraulic fluid seemed to have been sprayed from wheel well to the left main gear and back to the tail section. Crew resource management; effective communication and appropriate pacing of cockpit duties were key in the success of this flight segment.
A300 First Officer experiences a loss of the Green Hydraulic System shortly after takeoff. An emergency is declared; the gear is extended by alternate means; and the flight returns to the departure airport.