DC-10 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Workload; Time Pressure; Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft; Procedure
Engine fire indication occurred at 17;000 feet on departure.  B loop deferred on Number 3.  Declared emergency; dumped to max landing weight.  Dump occurred on descent between 14;000 feet and 11;000 feet.  At 4;000 feet and 10 miles from the airport with the airport and traffic in sight; we began a visual approach to runway.  The Controller was not expecting it; but we were high already and a successful landing required commencing the descent immediately.  We were at max landing weight and the temperature was 37 Celsius; so performance was my main concern.  To reiterate; we had the airport and traffic in sight prior to commencing the descent.  The Final Controller did not seem to know we were an emergency.
A DC-10 fire warning system indicated an engine three fire during climb with the B Loop deferred so an emergency was declared and the aircraft returned to the departure airport.