MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
Climbing out on the departure; we had the Tail Comp High Temp light come on. The QRH memory items were done and an emergency was declared with Departure Control. I requested to level at 18;000 FT and return to the departure station. Departure Control cleared us to turn to an arrival fix; descend to 12;000 FT and cleared ILS DME. The landing was normal at 134;400 LBS. Airfield Rescue and fire fighters inspected the aircraft and followed us to the hard stand.
During climb out an MD-80's TAIL COMP HIGH TEMP light alerted so the QRH was completed; an emergency declared; and the flight returned to the departure airport.