MD82 captain experiences a tail compt temperature high light shortly after takeoff and returns to de...

Narrative:

On initial climb-out; at about 1;000 ft AGL; the 'tail compt temperature high light' came on. We promptly declared an emergency; turned downwind while climbing to 5;000 ft. We accomplished the appropriate memory items and checklists; and expedited a return. The light extinguished in about thirty seconds. The emergency was exacerbated by moderate turbulence due to thunderstorms in the area. First officer did an excellent job dealing with the checklists and keeping the flight attendants calm. We asked for arff to check us out after landing; which they did. Arff cleared us; we then taxied back to the terminal while arff followed. We deplaned the passengers at the gate.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: MD82 Captain experiences a TAIL COMPT TEMP HIGH Light shortly after takeoff and returns to departure airport after declaring an emergency and complying with QRH procedures.

Narrative: On initial climb-out; at about 1;000 FT AGL; the 'TAIL COMPT TEMP HIGH Light' came on. We promptly declared an emergency; turned downwind while climbing to 5;000 FT. We accomplished the appropriate memory items and checklists; and expedited a return. The light extinguished in about thirty seconds. The emergency was exacerbated by moderate turbulence due to thunderstorms in the area. First Officer did an excellent job dealing with the checklists and keeping the flight attendants calm. We asked for ARFF to check us out after landing; which they did. ARFF cleared us; we then taxied back to the terminal while ARFF followed. We deplaned the passengers at the gate.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1013627
Time
Date	201205
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-82
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Pneumatic Ducting
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence

MD82 captain experiences a tail compt temperature high light shortly after takeoff and returns to departure airport after declaring an emergency and complying with QRH procedures.