Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Time Pressure; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
First Officer is Pilot Flying; I am Pilot Monitoring. As the aircraft is climbing through FL250; about 65 NM after takeoff; the Master Warning flickered twice and then came on steady. We both consulted the overhead panel and observed the TAIL COMP TEMP HIGH light illuminated in red. I extinguished the Master Warning light and the First Officer called for the QRH and performed the Memory Items; calling out each step as he accomplished them. I then started the clock and read aloud the procedure from the Bulletin. The light extinguished in less than 2 minutes and I called the checklist complete at the LAND ...NEAREST SUITABLE AIRPORT step. I told the First Officer to fly and talk; declare an emergency and advise ATC of our intention to return to the departure airport and land. I asked ATC to notify the Company and roll the ARFF. We received vectors to XXL and landed normally. I taxied off the runway and was met by the Command (ARFF); who examined the aft tail area with infrared. They said it was cool and followed us to the gate. Maintenance and ARFF inspected the aircraft and it was taken out of service. We completed the flight with a new aircraft.
[No additional information contained in Narrative #2.]
During climb after takeoff; a MD-83 Master Warning and TAIL COMP TEMP HIGH lights illuminated so an emergency was declared; the QRH completed and the flight returned to the departure airport.