MD-82
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Workload; Time Pressure; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation - Speed All Types
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Maintenance Action; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
Climbing out and passing FL210 the 'TAIL COMPARTMENT TEMP HI' light illuminated. We accomplished the immediate action items for that procedure and declared an emergency with ATC for an immediate return to the departure airport. The annunciator light extinguished within seconds of accomplishing the immediate action items. We did exceed 250 knots below 10;000 feet as a precaution to land quicker. Airfield Rescue and Fire Fighter vehicles met us after landing and found no heat signature on the aircraft. Taxied to gate and took airplane out of service. Wrote up overweight landing as well.
A MD-80 TAIL COMPARTMENT TEMP HI light illuminated climbing through FL210; so the QRH was completed; an emergency declared and the flight returned to the departure airport.