A300
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
Captain leveled aircraft at FL320 and IAW with cruise checklist; noticed the EGT exceedance pointer on Number 2 had exceeded 1;000 degrees to approximately 1;050 Celsius.  IAW the QRH we brought Number 2 engine to idle.  No other abnormal indication existed and we notified Center we would be returning.  Maintenance and Dispatch were notified.  We needed to burn down approximately 10;000 LBS of fuel to prevent an overweight landing and requested holding 15 NM NW of the airport at 10;000 feet.  After all checklists and briefings were completed; we exited holding and declared an emergency with ATC as a precautionary measure.  We proceeded to an uneventful landing and terminated the emergency after clearing the runway.
On level off; checked engine instruments and noticed Engine Number 2 EGT had exceeded limits - indicated approximately 1;050.  Directed the First Officer to comply with checklist (NO ECAM or Advisory indicated).  Checklist directed throttle to be left at idle (with use above that at Captain's discretion).  Crew discussed and elected to return.  We coordinated with Maintenance; Dispatch; and ATC.  As we were 10;000 LBS over MLGW; we got holding instructions approximately 15 miles NW of the airport.  In holding we completed all preparations for landing; including discussion regarding possibility of SE procedures; reduced LGW (landed at 305 = 3K < MLGW); balanced fuel. Departed holding and declared an emergency.  Flew approach until 1;500 [FT] on GS; then increased throttle on Engine Number 2; and used it as normal until landing.  Upon landing; did not use Thrust Reverse (it was not needed; and was easier on the Engine.  Cleared runway and canceled emergency; taxied to ramp; and discussed issue with Maintenance.Not sure when the exceedance occurred - it was not present during preflight; and we do not believe it happened when setting TO power.  Believe it was caught as soon as possible and handled appropriately.
A300 flight crew discovers an EGT exceedance upon reaching cruise altitude; (1;050 degrees C) and elects to return to the departure airport after burning down to maximum landing weight.