A300
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 20000; Flight Crew Type 1100
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
The aircraft had been in maintenance all day for a green hydraulic system problem. After it was released by Maintenance; it was pre-flighted and received clearance. Taxi out was normal and after takeoff; landing gear was selected up at approximately 100 FT and the chime sounded at about 600-700 FT with an ECAM message indicating low pump pressure on green hydraulic system pumps 1 and 2. The landing gear unlocked and doors opened but gear did not retract. ATC was advised of the problem and based on weather; fuel; runway; etc; a decision to return to land was made; but no emergency was declared yet. ATC provided vectors. 5;000 FT and 185 KTS was maintained with the takeoff flaps left at 15/15; and Company flight control was advised of the situation and an ARTR was issued for a divert back to land.All checklists were run; green hydraulic pumps 1 and 2 were off with the electric pump on; and brakes at alt/on for the landing. An emergency was declared for the landing; and emergency equipment was requested to be standing by. An uneventful approach and landing with flaps 30/40 was made. The aircraft was taxied off the runway to the parking spot on the ramp with flaps left down until ramp arrival/parking brake set so as to keep loads to a minimum on the green system electric pump. It does not appear that any deviations from FAR or FOM procedures occurred; so the event category is listed as flight control/dispatch as no other category appears to be applicable.
After liftoff at about 600-700 FT the master caution sounded and the ECAM indicated a failure of both green system pumps and low green pressure. The landing gear did not fully retract and indicated gear unsafe.
A300 flight crew experienced a hydraulic problem on take-off.