MD-83
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 Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft
At approximately 3;000 MSL after takeoff we had a Tail Comp Temp High Light come on. I was flying so the First Officer did the red box items and got the QRH out. The light went out after about 2 minutes. QRH said to land at nearest suitable; so we returned. We declared an emergency and landed at 142;000 LBS. Touchdown was uneventful and less than 100 FPM. Fire Department met aircraft and scanned tail cone. They told us it was around 300 degrees with no visual smoke or damage. Returned to gate and flight was cancelled.
Master warning came on during initial climb out. Leveled off at 3;000 FT. Pilot not flying executed memory items for 'Tail Compartment Temp High light' declared an emergency with ATC. Was vectored back to land in overweight condition; 142k landing weight. Captain made a smooth landing at minimum descent; approximately 100 FPM. [We] taxied off the runway and stopped to ask the ARFF to get a temp reading on the tail cone. They said it was around 300 F. no visible fire or smoke. We then taxied back to the gate; finished the checklist and shut the airplane down.
MD83 Captain experiences a Tail Comp Temp High light during initial climb. The First Officer accomplished the immediate action items then the QRH indicated landing at the nearest suitable airport.