MD-83
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft; Weather
Just after takeoff we got a Master Warning light and the 'TAIL COMPT TEMP HIGH' light for 2-3 seconds then it extinguished. We performed the memory items; declared an emergency; and landed at 142;000 LBS. The landing was soft (100-200 FPM sink rate). ATC provided us with the needed clearances and there were no known deviations.
MD-83 Captain experiences a Tail Compartment Temp high light shortly after takeoff which quickly extinguishes on its own. Memory items are accomplished; an emergency is declared and the flight returns to the departure airport.