EMB ERJ 190/195 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
Second day in a row [with this problem in the same aircraft]. Climbing through 11;500 FT; well after flap retraction; we received a 'Slat Fail' caution message. I was pilot flying; so I had the Captain reference any immediate action items. There are none; so he went ahead with the QRH checklist and I flew and manned the radios. At this point we were within 60 miles of [destination].At conclusion of the checklist we determined that with a slat fail 0; we will only be able to get flaps 2 due to system logic. So we once again considered diverting to airports nearby that had adequate runway length. This left [several] options which we gave to Dispatch. Dispatch; however; wanted us to return to [departure airport]. We worked with ATC for return and declared an emergency at this time. We were then cleared direct the outer marker and landed without incident.The day prior we had this same aircraft; and at that time it had an MEL for 'Flap Lo Rate.' That was fixed overnight; but this 'Slat Fail' came back. Looking through the maintenance log upon arrival; there were many pages of write ups including the phrase 'Slats Fail' caution message. Recurring problem for this aircraft.
ERJ-190 First Officer reported 'Slat Fail' message that resulted in return to departure station for a flaps 2 landing. Reporter stated this was a recurring problem in this particular aircraft.