EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Commercial
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft; Procedure
Took off and upon switching from APU bleed to engine bleeds we were engulfed with smoke. We did the immediate actions items along with shutting the packs off since we were low enough; and the smoke cleared. ATC gave us vectors back where we safely landed followed by fire/EMS on the ground. We ran our appropriate after landing checklists and then taxied to the gate. Once deplaned it was discovered to have been a past problem as smoke in the cabin was a previous write-up. The initial action was an ACM replacement but obviously didn't do the trick. We weren't around long enough to determine the cause. Getting more familiar with the checklist would be desirable.
Following the after takeoff checklist the flight deck began to fill with smoke. After following the emergency procedures the smoke began to dissipate. An emergency was declared and the aircraft returned without further incident.
EMB-145 flight crew reports smoke in the cockpit when the bleed system is switched to the engines from the APU after takeoff. The smoke checklist is complied with and the flight returns to the departure airport.