A320 smoke and ECAM fault message result in emergency return to departure airport.

Attributes
ACN	726905
Time
Date	200702
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : zzz.artcc
State Reference	US
Altitude	msl single value : 36000
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zzz.artcc
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	A320
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	climbout : intermediate altitude
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 180 flight time total : 9100 flight time type : 3200
ASRS Report	726905
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : critical other anomaly
Resolutory Action	flight crew : declared emergency other
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Aircraft
Primary Problem	Aircraft

Narrative:

During initial climb out we got an ECAM 'automatic flight FCU 1 fault;' with wispy smoke emanating from the FCU. We donned O2; performed the qrc while turning back to ZZZ; after declaring an emergency with center. The smoke continued for a few mins. We made an uneventful landing; and taxied to a gate after a look-over from the fire crews.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A320 SMOKE AND ECAM FAULT MSG RESULT IN EMER RETURN TO DEP ARPT.

Narrative: DURING INITIAL CLB OUT WE GOT AN ECAM 'AUTO FLT FCU 1 FAULT;' WITH WISPY SMOKE EMANATING FROM THE FCU. WE DONNED O2; PERFORMED THE QRC WHILE TURNING BACK TO ZZZ; AFTER DECLARING AN EMER WITH CENTER. THE SMOKE CONTINUED FOR A FEW MINS. WE MADE AN UNEVENTFUL LNDG; AND TAXIED TO A GATE AFTER A LOOK-OVER FROM THE FIRE CREWS.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of January 2009 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.