Narrative:

On [our] flight pitch trim failed around 6;000 feet. We were climbing when we smelled a foul smell and received a ptrim main inoperative EICAS message. None of the pitch trim switches would work; even after holding the quick disconnect button. The pitch trim indication on the EICAS went to amber dashes. The pitch trim 1 breaker was popped. The foul smell dissipated. None of the pitch trim switches were hot. We started the QRH. I told ATC we needed to return to [departure airport]. I let the flight attendant know our problem and asked her to make an initial announcement to the passengers. I contacted dispatch and had them patch us through to maintenance on the off chance they wanted us to reset the circuit breaker. They said to leave it; so we returned to [departure airport] without pitch trim. Before landing I gave the passengers a simplified and brief explanation of why we were returning. We landed flaps 22 in accordance with the QRH. The landing was normal and we declined further assistance from the fire trucks with tower; ground; and then again with ramp. A detailed [logbook] entry was made. We then completed the flight on another aircraft.obviously the biggest threat was the failure of the pitch trim. Thankfully the pitch trim failed in a slightly nose up tendency; was easily controlled with a lower airspeed; and was in a position that was not difficult at all to land with.I had flown this [aircraft] the previous leg with no issues whatsoever. The pitch trim tested fine on the ground and worked after takeoff; so I don't think this event could have been prevented by any changes in the company or by the crew.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: EMB-145LR flight crew reported returning to departure airport after losing their pitch trim system.

Narrative: On [our] flight pitch trim failed around 6;000 feet. We were climbing when we smelled a foul smell and received a PTRIM MAIN INOP EICAS message. None of the pitch trim switches would work; even after holding the quick disconnect button. The PITCH trim indication on the EICAS went to amber dashes. The PITCH TRIM 1 breaker was popped. The foul smell dissipated. None of the pitch trim switches were hot. We started the QRH. I told ATC we needed to return to [departure airport]. I let the flight attendant know our problem and asked her to make an initial announcement to the passengers. I contacted dispatch and had them patch us through to maintenance on the off chance they wanted us to reset the circuit breaker. They said to leave it; so we returned to [departure airport] without pitch trim. Before landing I gave the passengers a simplified and brief explanation of why we were returning. We landed flaps 22 in accordance with the QRH. The landing was normal and we declined further assistance from the fire trucks with tower; ground; and then again with ramp. A detailed [logbook] entry was made. We then completed the flight on another aircraft.Obviously the biggest threat was the failure of the pitch trim. Thankfully the pitch trim failed in a slightly nose up tendency; was easily controlled with a lower airspeed; and was in a position that was not difficult at all to land with.I had flown this [aircraft] the previous leg with no issues whatsoever. The pitch trim tested fine on the ground and worked after takeoff; so I don't think this event could have been prevented by any changes in the company or by the crew.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.