Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Flight Crew Commercial
Situational Awareness; Distraction; Confusion; Training / Qualification; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action
Procedure; Aircraft; Human Factors
Approximately eight minutes into repositioning flight in cruise flight at 2;500 feet I noticed a caution light and saw SUMP chip light. I turned immediately and descended to 1;000 feet AGL to return to our takeoff point; which was about six minutes away. I observed all other instruments and all engine and transmission temperature and pressure limits were normal.  I elected to return to the departure airport where maintenance could be done rather than an open field thinking that would be safe and maintenance could be done there. I did not realize that it was a 'land as soon as possible' and should have landed earlier. I did not realize the chip type until I scrolled the IIDS page to realize it was a transmission chip. I was trying to return to the airport ASAP and was concerned about traffic and getting the aircraft down at the airport and should have pulled out the emergency procedures section of the RFM but failed to do so due to piloting the aircraft. By the time I realized it was a land as soon as possible--I was two minutes from landing straight in and elected to continue.I should have pulled out the Emergency Procedures Checklist earlier and had a better grasp on chip light procedures than I did. I should have refreshed myself more on emergency procedures rather than assuming I knew the proper action.
A BHT-430 SUMP PUMP chip light illuminated about six minutes after takeoff. The pilot decided to return to the departure airport because he forgot until near landing that this was a LAND ASAP emergency.