Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900)
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft
Departed ZZZ; Runway XXL. Climbing out got a Rudder Limiter Caution message and Rudder Limiter Fault status message. First Officer was flying and he took the radios; I ran the QRH; at some point I told the First Officer to ask to level at 10;000 feet and vector us; that we were probably returning to ZZZ. Part of the QRH is to land at the nearest suitable airport. Flight attendants called and asked about ten thousand foot chime; told them we had a situation and that we may have to return to ZZZ; would let them know and would brief the passengers when able. Sent an ACARS to Dispatch; told them the problem and that per the QRH we have to land at the nearest suitable airport; ZZZ. Finally got hold of them on RCO frequency and confirmed that we were returning to ZZZ. ATC asked if we were [advising them]; initially I said no but then later when I realized it was a flaps 20 landing; I asked to have CFR standing by as a precaution. Made an announcement to the passengers that we had a fault indication on the flight deck and that we were returning to ZZZ. The First Officer and I set up for the approach; confirmed we were below maximum landing weight; completed the required checklists and advised ATC that we were ready for the approach. They vectored us on to a longer than normal final and we used the automation to fly an ILS approach to Runway XXL. The First Officer made the landing with no more than 400 FPM at touchdown. After clearing the runway; advised ATC that we could taxi to the gate and that CFR was no longer required. Taxied to gate and secured the aircraft.
CRJ-900 Captain reported a rudder limiter system failure; resulting in a return to departure airport.