MD-82
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Weather
On initial climb-out; at about 1;000 FT AGL; the 'TAIL COMPT TEMP HIGH Light' came on. We promptly declared an emergency; turned downwind while climbing to 5;000 FT. We accomplished the appropriate memory items and checklists; and expedited a return. The light extinguished in about thirty seconds. The emergency was exacerbated by moderate turbulence due to thunderstorms in the area. First Officer did an excellent job dealing with the checklists and keeping the flight attendants calm. We asked for ARFF to check us out after landing; which they did. ARFF cleared us; we then taxied back to the terminal while ARFF followed. We deplaned the passengers at the gate.
MD82 Captain experiences a TAIL COMPT TEMP HIGH Light shortly after takeoff and returns to departure airport after declaring an emergency and complying with QRH procedures.