Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
On climbout at approximately 1;000 feet AGL; we had a SMOKE TOILET Caution message with the smell of electrical fumes in the cabin and possible smoke. This was a ferry flight with no Flight Attendant; the cockpit door was open and the cabin lights were off; so it was difficult to confirm the smoke. I informed ATC we needed to return to the airport due to cabin smoke. We accomplished immediate action items for smoke and prepared for the return to the airport. ATC vectored us to a visual. Turning to final; I noticed the caution message was out and the fumes had dissipated. I was the Pilot Monitoring and the First Officer; who was the Pilot Flying; accomplished an uneventful landing. We told Tower the situation had cleared and that we could taxi back to the gate. We were given all clear from the fire department after an external inspection; and we taxied back to the gate. From there; we called Maintenance; and the Dispatcher.I am not aware of any undesired aircraft states occurring; but we had threats including numerous MELs (no Autopilot; and Antiskid channel one inop.); busy airport; and approaching 10 hours of duty. Another threat was that my O2 mask continued to fog up making it hard to see. Because I was unable to ascertain if there was actual smoke in the cabin due to the no lights in the cabin; on future ferry flights; I may turn on a few reading lights in the rear of the cabin. The fogging of the O2 mask was probably due to me not ensuring I had a good seal when I put the mask on. In the future; I'll be sure to have a good seal.
CRJ-200 Captain reported returning to departure airport after receiving a SMOKE TOILET caution message and smelling electrical fumes.