MD-83
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
The ambient temperature was 37 degrees C at the time of takeoff. Initial climb out was uneventful. The First Officer was flying the aircraft. At approximately 15;000; the Master Warning and Tail Comp Temp Hi lights illuminated. We performed the memory items and in less than 60 seconds both lights went out. We leveled at 17;000 and I completed the QRH checklist. I elected to return to our departure airport. I notified ATC; Dispatch; Operations and Maintenance. We did NOT declare an emergency. Descent and landing were in accordance with the QRH procedures and were uneventful.
While in the climb an MD-83 flight crew followed the associated checklists in response to a tail compartment high tempertaure warning then requested and were cleared to return to their departure airport.