DHC8 first officer reports a roll splr inbd hydraulic caution light illuminated just after flap retr...

Narrative:

Shortly after takeoff after we retracted the flaps (about 1;000 AGL); the roll splr inbd hydraulic caution light illuminated. We completed the after takeoff checklist and appropriate emergency checklist then called maintenance on the satellite phone. We elected to return to the field; and as a precaution declared an emergency. The remainder of the flight was completed without incident and we landed and returned to the gate. We decided to declare an emergency thinking that the roll spoilers were considered a flight control device and a NTSB reportable event if they malfunctioned. After calling maintenance on the ground when we returned to the gate; we were informed that the roll spoilers are considered flight control assisting devices and thus not required to be reported to the NTSB. Had we known this; we would not have decided to declare and emergency.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: DHC8 First Officer reports a ROLL SPLR INBD HYD caution light illuminated just after flap retraction during initial climb. An emergency is declared and flight returns to departure airport.

Narrative: Shortly after takeoff after we retracted the flaps (about 1;000 AGL); the ROLL SPLR INBD HYD caution light illuminated. We completed the After Takeoff Checklist and appropriate emergency checklist then called Maintenance on the Satellite phone. We elected to return to the field; and as a precaution declared an emergency. The remainder of the flight was completed without incident and we landed and returned to the gate. We decided to declare an emergency thinking that the roll spoilers were considered a flight control device and a NTSB reportable event if they malfunctioned. After calling Maintenance on the ground when we returned to the gate; we were informed that the roll spoilers are considered flight control assisting devices and thus not required to be reported to the NTSB. Had we known this; we would not have decided to declare and emergency.

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	1041439
Time
Date	201210
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Dash 8 Series Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Climb
Component
Aircraft Component	Spoiler System
Person 1
Function	First Officer
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe

DHC8 first officer reports a roll splr inbd hydraulic caution light illuminated just after flap retraction during initial climb. An emergency is declared and flight returns to departure airport.