Narrative:

Climbing out after gear retraction between 500-800 ft we noticed EICAS messages 'hydraulic pres system 1' and 'hydraulic quan system 1 low.' we continued our climb to 5;000 ft. We pulled out the check list and also notified ATC that we wanted to stay slow and on the departure. They had us climb to 7;000 then later to 9;000 ft. We ran the check list; got the autopilot on; notified the flight attendants; contacted dispatch; and advised maintenance. We advised ATC we were returning to the field would need a long straight in approach and requested a clearance back to the airport. We notified ATC we would need equipment standing by but priority handling was not necessary. We told them we would have to stop on the runway and be towed off. They asked us to delay our landing 15 - 20 minutes and we agreed. We again coordinated with the flight attendants and had them go through their checklist but advised we expected the landing should be normal. We completed and reviewed the checklists again; including the diversion and towing checklists; and prepared for landing. We descended early and put flaps down 5; 10; 20 early as it took longer. We used alternate gear extension and were fully configured 15 miles out on final. We landed with flaps 25 and autobrakes level 4. We turned off the autopilot at 800 ft. Landing was normal. Crash fire rescue equipment equipment and a tug met us and towed us off the runway to the gate.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B747 flight crew declared an emergency returned to their departure airport following the loss of HYD SYS I pressure and fluid.

Narrative: Climbing out after gear retraction between 500-800 FT we noticed EICAS messages 'HYD PRES SYS 1' and 'HYD QUAN SYS 1 LOW.' We continued our climb to 5;000 FT. We pulled out the check list and also notified ATC that we wanted to stay slow and on the departure. They had us climb to 7;000 then later to 9;000 FT. We ran the check list; got the autopilot on; notified the flight attendants; contacted Dispatch; and advised Maintenance. We advised ATC we were returning to the field would need a long straight in approach and requested a clearance back to the airport. We notified ATC we would need equipment standing by but priority handling was not necessary. We told them we would have to stop on the runway and be towed off. They asked us to delay our landing 15 - 20 minutes and we agreed. We again coordinated with the flight attendants and had them go through their checklist but advised we expected the landing should be normal. We completed and reviewed the checklists again; including the diversion and towing checklists; and prepared for landing. We descended early and put flaps down 5; 10; 20 early as it took longer. We used alternate gear extension and were fully configured 15 miles out on final. We landed with flaps 25 and autobrakes level 4. We turned off the autopilot at 800 FT. Landing was normal. CFR equipment and a tug met us and towed us off the runway to the gate.

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.