B727-200
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
Upon departure; during flap retraction; we observed low Hydraulic System A pressure and quantity. We complied with QRH procedures; declared an emergecy and returned to our departure airport.
The QRH procedure is not designed for the situation we had; i.e. fluid loss then quantity stabilization before action could be taken. After crew input the Captain directed using the QRH procedure as carefully as we could while expecting A System failure during flap extension (as the original loss had occurred during flap retraction). Since A System quantity and pressure had stabilized we executed an ILS approach using normal gear and flap extension. A system quantity and pressure remained stable throughout the approach and landing with expected changes in quantity during gear and flap extension. We had declared an emergency. Emergency equipment responded and was waiting. Systems remained stable after landing so we elected to cancel the emergency and taxi to the gate.The aircraft had not flown recently which may have been a factor.
After observing a loss of Hydraulic System A quantity and pressure during flap retraction following takeoff the B727-200 flight crew declared an emergency and returned uneventfully to their departure airport.