Emb-145 first officer reported mechanical issues with the flap system during takeoff climb.

Narrative:

Took off from ZZZ with flaps 18 and once reaching fra (flap retraction altitude); on schedule; the captain requested flaps 9 and I selected them and we received 'flap fail' message. We ran the QRH and contacted dispatch. We went over our options and held at [waypoint] for about 45 minute and burned fuel to be underweight for landing. The aircraft was approximately 400 lbs over the landing weight and we decided to land due to the storm coming to the field. With the speeds being higher than usual we didn't want a slick runway or possible wind shear to make the landing more complex than it already was. The landing was very smooth and vs did not exceed 300 FPM. We did talk about going to another airport but we were restricted to 200 knots and weather was absolutely everywhere. Dispatch suggested ZZZ1 which would been 1.30 hr to get there. We discussed passenger handling and accommodations and ultimately agreed that the landing back at ZZZ was the best action.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: EMB-145 First Officer reported mechanical issues with the flap system during takeoff climb.

Narrative: Took off from ZZZ with flaps 18 and once reaching FRA (Flap Retraction Altitude); on schedule; the Captain requested flaps 9 and I selected them and we received 'FLAP FAIL' message. We ran the QRH and contacted Dispatch. We went over our options and held at [waypoint] for about 45 minute and burned fuel to be underweight for landing. The aircraft was approximately 400 lbs over the landing weight and we decided to land due to the storm coming to the field. With the speeds being higher than usual we didn't want a slick runway or possible wind shear to make the landing more complex than it already was. The landing was very smooth and VS did not exceed 300 FPM. We did talk about going to another airport but we were restricted to 200 knots and weather was absolutely everywhere. Dispatch suggested ZZZ1 which would been 1.30 hr to get there. We discussed passenger handling and accommodations and ultimately agreed that the landing back at ZZZ was the best action.

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.

Attributes
ACN	1543276
Time
Date	201805
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.TRACON
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Flap Control (Trailing & Leading Edge)
Person 1
Function	Pilot Not Flying First Officer
Qualification	Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Weight And Balance