EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Human Factors; Aircraft
On [our] flight pitch trim failed around 6;000 feet. We were climbing when we smelled a foul smell and received a PTRIM MAIN INOP EICAS message. None of the pitch trim switches would work; even after holding the quick disconnect button. The PITCH trim indication on the EICAS went to amber dashes. The PITCH TRIM 1 breaker was popped. The foul smell dissipated. None of the pitch trim switches were hot. We started the QRH. I told ATC we needed to return to [departure airport]. I let the flight attendant know our problem and asked her to make an initial announcement to the passengers. I contacted dispatch and had them patch us through to maintenance on the off chance they wanted us to reset the circuit breaker. They said to leave it; so we returned to [departure airport] without pitch trim. Before landing I gave the passengers a simplified and brief explanation of why we were returning. We landed flaps 22 in accordance with the QRH. The landing was normal and we declined further assistance from the fire trucks with tower; ground; and then again with ramp. A detailed [logbook] entry was made. We then completed the flight on another aircraft.Obviously the biggest threat was the failure of the pitch trim. Thankfully the pitch trim failed in a slightly nose up tendency; was easily controlled with a lower airspeed; and was in a position that was not difficult at all to land with.I had flown this [aircraft] the previous leg with no issues whatsoever. The pitch trim tested fine on the ground and worked after takeoff; so I don't think this event could have been prevented by any changes in the company or by the crew.
Upon smelling the odor we could have donned the oxygen masks but I do believe that we made the right decision and kept our headsets on once we noticed that pitch trim system circuit breaker had popped. (This helped with situational awareness and being able to clearly hear ATC instructions and lowering the risk of confusion.) At that point the smell subsided. Had it not gone away we would have donned the masks.We learned [later] from maintenance that the Captain side switch had been replaced recently and that something had melted and was fixed. It was obvious that the problem was not fixed but rather patched and subsequently reoccurred; endangering the flight.Overall I think the crew did a good job of getting the plane to the ground safely. As the First Officer I initially felt like the problem rushed me. Taking my time at first onset of the issue would have help situational awareness slightly. As the flight progressed the division of duties became very clear and the problem was not only resolved but resolved well. The methodical approach to each issue and each task lead to each task being completed well and the ultimate successful outcome of the flight.
EMB-145LR flight crew reported returning to departure airport after losing their pitch trim system.