MD-11
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft
Climbing through 9;000 feet; [we] received a Cabin Smoke alert warning. The alert only lasted around two seconds. We took into consideration it could have been a faulty warning; but decided to [advise ATC] and land back at ZZZ on Runway XXC. Runway XY was the initial preference; but we could not get down and land in a stable configuration. Switched to [Runway] XXC to allow a more controlled approach. Landed and exited the runway while informing the fire trucks we had no visible signs of a fire; but wanted them to assess from the outside. We continued to the gate with no further problems.Cause was probably a faulty sensor. Would like to include some things we learned. During the unexpected event we get tunnel vision which degrades our situational awareness. Putting on an oxygen mask also contributed to greater loss of situational awareness. I think more training with these scenarios would be very beneficial and stressing the importance of auto-land if available.
MD-11 Captain reported a temporary smoke alert warning during initial climb. Flight crew executed an uneventful return to departure airport.