Narrative:

This trip was the third leg of a re-qualifying check ride for me after returning to the cockpit from a one year medical absence. Prior to departure the check pilot and I jointly decided to accept the aircraft with an MEL; yellow electric hydraulic pump inoperative. Situational conditions made this a prudent decision in this case. During climb out; ECAM; hyd Y rsvr lo air pr; displayed. All ECAM procedures and flight manual actions were completed. The ECAM contained 'conditional' item that dealt with fluctuations in pressure of the affected system. Initially; this condition was not met but after a few minutes; pressure fluctuations did occur and the conditional item on the ECAM was accomplished.we then decided to return to the departure airport. Consideration was given to a close monitoring of a now isolated hydraulic system and continue toward our destination; but after a review of current and forecast weather at our destination; the decision to return to our departure airport was made. [It was an] uneventful return to departure airport. All coordination required with dispatch and others accomplished. ECAM and flight manual actions associated with approach and landing accomplished.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: After departing with the Yellow system electric pump deferred; an A320 flight crew returned to departure airport when reservoir pressure to the yellow system was also lost.

Narrative: This trip was the third leg of a re-qualifying check ride for me after returning to the cockpit from a one year medical absence. Prior to departure the Check Pilot and I jointly decided to accept the aircraft with an MEL; Yellow Electric Hydraulic Pump Inoperative. Situational conditions made this a prudent decision in this case. During climb out; ECAM; Hyd Y Rsvr Lo Air PR; displayed. All ECAM procedures and Flight Manual actions were completed. The ECAM contained 'conditional' item that dealt with fluctuations in pressure of the affected system. Initially; this condition was not met but after a few minutes; pressure fluctuations did occur and the conditional item on the ECAM was accomplished.We then decided to return to the departure airport. Consideration was given to a close monitoring of a now isolated Hydraulic system and continue toward our destination; but after a review of current and forecast weather at our destination; the decision to return to our departure airport was made. [It was an] uneventful return to departure airport. All coordination required with Dispatch and others accomplished. ECAM and Flight Manual actions associated with approach and landing accomplished.

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.