A320 flight crew discovers a land as soon as possible ECAM memo during climb out. No previous ECAM w...

Narrative:

After having the number 2 air conditioning pack deferred; we had a normal taxi-out and takeoff. Passing 8;000 ft the captain and I noticed a land as soon as possible (amber) memo. There had been no ECAM warning or caution associated with this ECAM memo. The captain selected the rcl (recall) button to see if there were any items displayed. Sure enough; there was an avionics smoke procedure displayed. There was no perceptible smoke. We asked the flight attendants if any indication of smoke in the cabin; and there was none. Both the captain and I were suspect of this problem; because there didn't appear to be any direct confirmation of the smoke. In addition; the lack of any other ECAM warning or caution made us somewhat suspect of the land as soon as possible memo. The captain sent a four page ACARS message describing the problem to maintenance. We also referenced the flight manual for further guidance with this particular issue. After further thought; the captain decided for a return to our departure airport; the closet airport. We informed ATC of our intent to return to our departure airport; and were cleared direct to the airport. We notified dispatch and the flight attendants of our situation. We referenced the overweight landing checklist. We told the flight attendants this would be a normal landing; but did inform them of our indications in the cockpit. After a normal landing; ATC informed us there was no visible smoke. We taxied; parked; and accomplished all required check-list. The avionics smoke ECAM message was not displayed after shut-down.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A320 flight crew discovers a land ASAP ECAM Memo during climb out. No previous ECAM warnings had been received by the crew but when the recall button was pushed; an Avionics Smoke message is displayed. After some discussion the crew elected to return to the departure airport.

Narrative: After having the number 2 air conditioning pack deferred; we had a normal taxi-out and takeoff. Passing 8;000 FT the Captain and I noticed a Land ASAP (Amber) Memo. There had been no ECAM warning or caution associated with this ECAM Memo. The Captain selected the RCL (recall) button to see if there were any items displayed. Sure enough; there was an Avionics Smoke procedure displayed. There was no perceptible smoke. We asked the Flight Attendants if any indication of smoke in the cabin; and there was none. Both the Captain and I were suspect of this problem; because there didn't appear to be any direct confirmation of the smoke. In addition; the lack of any other ECAM warning or caution made us somewhat suspect of the Land ASAP Memo. The Captain sent a four page ACARS message describing the problem to Maintenance. We also referenced the Flight Manual for further guidance with this particular issue. After further thought; the Captain decided for a return to our departure airport; the closet airport. We informed ATC of our intent to return to our departure airport; and were cleared direct to the airport. We notified Dispatch and the Flight Attendants of our situation. We referenced the overweight landing checklist. We told the flight attendants this would be a normal landing; but did inform them of our indications in the cockpit. After a normal landing; ATC informed us there was no visible smoke. We taxied; parked; and accomplished all required check-list. The Avionics Smoke ECAM message was not displayed after shut-down.

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.

Attributes
ACN	933734
Time
Date	201102
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	FO
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	A320
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Component
Aircraft Component	Fire/Overheat Warning
Person 1
Function	First Officer Pilot Flying
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 180 Flight Crew Total 14700 Flight Crew Type 4000
Person 2
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 110 Flight Crew Total 18000 Flight Crew Type 6550
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor

A320 flight crew discovers a land as soon as possible ECAM memo during climb out. No previous ECAM warnings had been received by the crew but when the recall button was pushed; an avionics smoke message is displayed. After some discussion the crew elected to return to the departure airport.