Narrative:

After takeoff; during the initial climb; the 'tail compartment temperature high' light illuminated. The immediate action items were complied with. The pilot monitoring began to run the QRH checklist. The light remained illuminated after two minutes. ATC was advised we had a problem and we leveled off to continue the troubleshooting portion of the checklist. A review of the steps verified the process was lengthy; and ATC was advised we would return. While working with ATC the 'tail compartment temperature high' light went out. ATC was advised of the improvement. Since the aircraft had just been released for flight following maintenance of the right pack assembly I decided the flight should not continue as the possibility of ducting or pack problems was high. An emergency was declared; and we returned to the airfield. In the descent the right pack failed. An overweight landing was performed. While stopped airport rescue and fire fighting looked at the tail cone with a thermal image device. They verified no hot spots and no fires. After airport rescue and fire fighting cleared us we taxied to a gate and deplaned the passengers. The appropriate entries were made in the log. Maintenance personnel who met us on the gate found a clamp and boot that was off of the right pack. It appeared to have failed but they were waiting for it to cool for a more complete inspection.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An MD80 experienced TAIL CONE TEMP HIGH light during climb out. QRH procedures were complied with and the flight returned for an overweight landing. A clamp and boot were found to be off the right pack by maintenance.

Narrative: After takeoff; during the initial climb; the 'Tail Compartment Temperature High' light illuminated. The immediate action items were complied with. The pilot monitoring began to run the QRH checklist. The light remained illuminated after two minutes. ATC was advised we had a problem and we leveled off to continue the troubleshooting portion of the checklist. A review of the steps verified the process was lengthy; and ATC was advised we would return. While working with ATC the 'Tail Compartment Temperature High' light went out. ATC was advised of the improvement. Since the aircraft had just been released for flight following maintenance of the right pack assembly I decided the flight should not continue as the possibility of ducting or pack problems was high. An emergency was declared; and we returned to the airfield. In the descent the right pack failed. An overweight landing was performed. While stopped airport rescue and fire fighting looked at the tail cone with a thermal image device. They verified no hot spots and no fires. After airport rescue and fire fighting cleared us we taxied to a gate and deplaned the passengers. The appropriate entries were made in the log. Maintenance personnel who met us on the gate found a clamp and boot that was off of the right pack. It appeared to have failed but they were waiting for it to cool for a more complete inspection.

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.