A319
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
During our initial climb the Captain and I noticed a strange sound. Shortly thereafter; a Flight Attendant called the cockpit to complain about smoke in the cabin. While the Captain was speaking with the Flight Attendant; we received a TA about VFR traffic as we were leveling off at 11;000. (A distraction since it was 500 FT above us and the aircraft was telling us to 'adjust vertical speed') and determined at the same time that we needed to declare an emergency and return to the airport to land on Runway 19L. I prepared the FMS while the Captain flew the aircraft to an uneventful landing. After landing; we had a PACK OVERHEAT ECAM and I performed the actions requested by the ECAM. Fire rescue personnel inspected the exterior of the aircraft and noted nothing unusual. We then taxied to the gate.
An A319 flight crew declared and emergency and returned to their departure airport when a Flight Attendant reported smoke in the cabin shortly after takeoff.