During climb after takeoff; a md-83 master warning and tail comp temperature high lights illuminated...

Narrative:

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 temperature 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.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: 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.

Narrative: 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.

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	1111788
Time
Date	201308
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-82
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Engine Air Pneumatic Ducting
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	Pilot Flying First Officer
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

During climb after takeoff; a md-83 master warning and tail comp temperature high lights illuminated so an emergency was declared; the QRH completed and the flight returned to the departure airport.