Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft; Weather
We were in IMC conditions with the wing anti-ice on. We received a master warning 'tail compartment temp high' light. After following the memory items and QRH procedures the light extinguished. We elected to return (nearest suitable airport) after declaring an emergency. Upon return we made a visual approach and after coming to a complete stop the ARFF inspected the aircraft and communicated that there were no abnormal indications. We then proceeded to taxi to the gate.
Climbing through about 28;000 FT; the Tail Compartment Temp High warning light came on while using wing anti ice. We performed the memory items and the light extinguished. Following up with the QRH procedures; we declared an emergency and returned (nearest suitable airfield); as directed by the QRH. FAs reported the aft cabin was warm on the ground; but that it quickly cooled off once airborne and was normal for the remainder of the flight. Using Captains emergency authority; we executed an uneventful overweight landing into the wind. Upon clearing the runway we were visually and IR scanned with negative results. We then proceeded to the gate and after a short discussion with the base manager deplaned the passengers.
MD83 flight crew experiences a tail compartment temperature high light passing FL280 during climb with the wing anti-ice system activated. QRH procedures are applied successfully and the crew elects to return to the departure airport for an overweight landing.