Narrative:

Climbing through 8900' in a climb to intercept the departure course. Approximately 30 miles south; I looked over and noticed the number 1 hyd qty at 1.1 qts and dropping at a slow rate. I then pointed it out to the first officer; she verified it. I then told her an emergency was imminent; and to advise ATC that we were returning to the field and declaring an emergency. I called dispatch and advised them of the emergency told them we were about 10 minutes out. I then called the flight attendant and told her we were going to declare an emergency landing in about 10 minutes expect a PA in just a bit but no need to brace. When we get on the ground we will check cabin status; flight attendant understood and carried out her duties. Told the first officer I was back and she informed me we were descending; and on a heading for ZZZ. I asked if she gave ATC all the required info and the first officer said 'no'. I finished it up with souls on board and fuel remaining and intentions. I asked for the longest runway calm winds 0 gradient. I also informed ATC we are planning to clear the runway and to please roll the emergency trucks. I told the first officer I was now the flying pilot. We ran the loss of hyd contents for # 1 side. Followed up by the rest of our briefings and checklists. We landed without incident and executed the proper checklists and notified ATC. There was no longer an emergency we then made a decision to taxi to the gate; I had pressure on the # 1 main. We monitored it and taxied slow; arrived at the gate. I then was at the flight deck door as the passengers deplaned and they all seemed fine.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Dash 8 Captain reported losing #1 hydraulic system quantity. An emergency was declared and a return to departure airport was successfully executed.

Narrative: Climbing through 8900' in a climb to intercept the departure course. Approximately 30 miles south; I looked over and noticed the number 1 hyd qty at 1.1 qts and dropping at a slow rate. I then pointed it out to the First Officer; she verified it. I then told her an emergency was imminent; and to advise ATC that we were returning to the field and Declaring an Emergency. I called Dispatch and advised them of the emergency told them we were about 10 minutes out. I then called the Flight Attendant and told her we were going to Declare an Emergency landing in about 10 minutes expect a PA in just a bit but no need to brace. When we get on the ground we will check cabin status; Flight Attendant understood and carried out her duties. Told the First Officer I was back and she informed me we were descending; and on a heading for ZZZ. I asked if she gave ATC all the required info and the First Officer said 'no'. I finished it up with souls on board and fuel remaining and intentions. I asked for the longest runway calm winds 0 gradient. I also informed ATC we are planning to clear the runway and to please roll the emergency trucks. I told the First Officer I was now the flying pilot. We ran the loss of hyd contents for # 1 side. Followed up by the rest of our briefings and checklists. We landed without incident and executed the proper checklists and notified ATC. There was no longer an emergency we then made a decision to taxi to the gate; I had pressure on the # 1 main. We monitored it and taxied slow; arrived at the gate. I then was at the flight deck door as the passengers deplaned and they all seemed fine.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.