EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Time Pressure; Distraction; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft; Procedure; Human Factors
Everything regarding the flight was perfectly normal up until initial climb out. At approximately 300 FT; the Flight Attendant call bell rang and our Flight Attendant advised us that smoke was observed near the cabin floor at around row seven or eight. The Flight Attendant described to us that the smoke was coming from the area around photo-luminescent lights. It was described as coming from only that specific area/row; which both the Captain and I found odd. Neither of us 'liked' that it was coming from just one specific area. We quickly made the decision to return to [our departure airport]. We waited until the aircraft was cleaned up and we were above the flap retract altitude and then advised ATC we needed to return to [our departure airport]. I gave the radios to the Captain (pilot flying) and began working through the memory items; Initial Action Items; and QRH. At some point after that; I called the Flight Attendant and asked what the conditions were in the cabin. The Flight Attendant advised that the smoke had ceased as far as she could tell. By this point; we were in a 'modified' downwind for the runway; advised ATC we had the field in sight; and we were subsequently cleared for the visual. We elected to land on the runway. It was an overweight landing; but was smooth; and was otherwise uneventful. We taxied to the gate under our own power and I asked that the emergency equipment follow us.The situation itself was obviously a threat; but beyond that; the fact that we were advised of the situation at 300 FT was definitely a threat. I thought the Captain and I handled it well; focused on flying the aircraft; and dealt with everything else once we were at a safe altitude. Another really important piece to this whole thing was something we found out later after we landed - the Flight Attendant advised us that she had actually observed this smoke condition as we were taxiing onto the runway; and during the takeoff roll; but did not want to call us because she thought we were busy. True; we were busy; but I don't need to put in this report how much easier it would have been to simply taxi off the runway or even just abort the takeoff. I am NOT including that information to say that the Flight Attendant did anything wrong. I'm sure it was a difficult decision for her. I just hope that the information is used to enhance training for our Flight Attendant's or even maybe include in recurrent as a scenario and as something that actually happened.Overall; I feel the Captain and I worked very well and efficiently as a crew to get the aircraft turned around and back to the departure airport. It's tough to get something like that (especially at 300 FT) and not be a little surprised and flustered. What I took away in the end was that we as pilots often just *expect* everything to go off without a hitch. After all; 99.9% of the time; things do in fact go perfectly normally. However; taking the simple step of being in the mindset to be ready for an emergency (especially in any critical phase of flight) can make things much easier and less surprising. Obvious; I know; but not something we all actively realize and think about.
An EMB-145 Flight Attendant notified the flight crew at 300 FT after takeoff about smoke apparently from a light so ATC was advised; the QRH completed and the flight returned to the departure airport. The Flight Attendant later said the smoke was present during taxi but she was afraid to interfere with pilot pre-takeoff duties.