B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 209; Flight Crew Type 8000
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
While flying the Departure at 11;000 feet MSL; the Right Wing-Body Overheat light illuminated. The First Officer continued flying while we referenced the QRH procedure for Right Wing Body Overheat. After completing the steps for the Right Wing Body Overheat; the light did not extinguish; so we elected to return. We declared an emergency and received vectors for the visual approach. At some point during the recovery; the Right Wing Body Overheat light did extinguish; but we did not see exactly when as we were concentrating on the landing.  Landing was uneventful. We cleared the runway and stopped to allow the Fire Crew to visually inspect the right side of the aircraft. After the inspection; we were told we had no visible signs of a problem so we proceeded to the gate; where we were checked one more time; and no visible damage or sign of fire was discovered. Landing weight was approximately 126.5K.
I was the flying pilot and we did a normal takeoff. Approaching 11;000 feet; we had an annunciator indicating a Right Wing Body Overheat. The Captain directed me to continue flying the aircraft and he would execute the abnormal checklist. We completed the checklist. The light stayed on for a minute or so and then became intermittent. I called ATC to level of and we leveled at 11;000 feet as climbing with a possible pneumatic issue did not seem appropriate. We continued for a couple of minutes to review our situation and confer on a game plan. We agreed that returning would be a prudent decision. We informed ATC of our decision and were promptly turned left to a left downwind. We performed the Descent Checklist and set up for the approach. We declared an emergency with Approach. On downwind; I was flying and talking on ATC frequency while the Captain coordinated with the Company. We were turned to a base for a visual approach and switched to a frequency; which I believe is a discrete frequency for the Tower. We landed without incident and were met by the Fire Department that was positioned on [a] taxiway. Initially; Ground on the same frequency informed us to go straight to Ramp and continue to the gate. We elected to have the Fire Department approach the aircraft and verify there were no obvious issues with the aircraft. I spoke directly to the Fire Department and directed them to the area of the right wing root. They made a visual inspection of the aircraft and informed us that in their opinion; we were safe to continue to the gate. We proceeded to the gate. The Fire Department accompanied us to the gate. At the gate we shut down the aircraft uneventfully.
B737-700 flight crew experiences a Right Wing-Body Overheat light during initial climb. QRH procedures are complied with and the crew elects to return to the departure airport.