A300
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 11000; Flight Crew Type 4000
Troubleshooting; Time Pressure; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
Climbing through approximately FL200; I was pilot flying;we received a Master Caution ECAS warning AFT CARGO LOOP FAULT A. Master Caution (MC) went out by itself; and then reappeared seconds later. Captain as pilot not flying began to initiate the QRH procedures for the MC when a Master Warning (MW) CARGO SMOKE illuminated. We agreed to immediately divert back to the departure airport. I began a 180 turn; Captain described event to Center. Cleared direct the airport; descend 10;000 FT. As Captain was declaring emergency with ATC I was changing destination in FMS when MW SMOKE extinguished. I pointed this out to the Captain and we both agreed to continue with the divert. No actual smoke was ever detected nor did the MW or MC ever re-illuminate. At this time; Captain was talking with ATC and company. I was flying and navigating. There was a minor discussion with ATC if an emergency had been declared; and I heard the Captain respond in the affirmative; but later events may show ATC did not understand or receive the intent of our precautionary divert and declaration of emergency. Since we were close at around 10;000 FT we were handed off the Approach. I asked for early descent and stated I requested high speed below 10;000 FT. ATC responded affirmative to high speed below 10;000 FT. Flew 325 KTS onto high key; then vectored for tight approach ILS just outside outer marker. [We] made a normal landing.
During climbout we received a main cargo deck smoke detector fault. This came and went twice and then became a smoke warning. We turned the aircraft around toward the airport and declared an emergency. Before we could get through the QRH checklist; the warning went out. We continued toward the airport and made an uneventful landing.
An A300 Master Caution alerted AFT CARGO LOOP FAULT A; followed by a Master Warning CARGO SMOKE. Both alerts extinguished but an emergency was declared and the flight returned to the departure airport.