Date: 202107
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Weather elements / visibility: Turbulence
Aircraft: EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Climb
Airspace: Class A ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Aircraft component: Air Conditioning Compressor
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Troubleshooting; Time Pressure; Workload
Second reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: Captain (CA) was Pilot Flying. During climb going through FL180; windshield 1 heat fail message showed in the EICAS; message went away. A few seconds later PACK 1 valve closed (cyan message) showed on the EICAS; CA recycle the pack. Both CA and First Officer (FO) observed a boringness smell after pack was cycled. Crew was notified by the Flight Attendant (FA) that there was smoke in the cabin. CA and FO donned the oxygen mask and gaggles and started an emergency descent and turning back towards airport of departure. FO notified ATC. Crew was cleared by ATC direct ZZZ. [The briefing] was done between crew and FA. FO was able to get landing data and set up the FMS for the RNAV RWY XX in ZZZ. CA landed and exited the runway safely; parked at a ramp shutdown engine #1 and opened the main cabin door. CA used engine #2 for power and chose to not start the APU since the crew wasn't sure about the integrity of the system.


Second narrative: On climb through 21;000 ft crew received a windshield heat fail message; CA (Captain) pulled out the QRH but the message cleared. Moments later the crew received a cyan PACK 1 valve close message. CA selected pack one off and then reset. Shortly after the crew both smelled smoke in the flight deck. Seconds after the smell of smoke the FA (Flight Attendant) called notifying crew of smoke filling up the cabin. The crew put on oxygen and smoke goggles and the CA initiated an emergency descent; the FO notified ATC and requested direct ZZZ. ATC assigned 15;000 ft direct ZZZ. Crew established that the CA will fly and the FO will work the radios and FMS. The FO informed ATC of the souls on board and fuel on board and requested visual for Runway XX from the final approach fix (ZZZZZ). FO got landing numbers for Runway XX; and verified the aircraft would not be overweight. The crew checked in with the FA 3 times before landing back at ZZZ; each check in the FA stated the smoke is slowly dissipating. Upon landing the crew exited on [taxiway] and had trucks follow them on A to an empty ramp area. The crew shut down engine 1 and opened the main cabin door; engine 2 was kept running to maintain radio contact. The APU was not started because the crew was not sure of the systems integrity. After aircraft was inspected and safe; the aircraft was brought back to the gate and deplaned.


Synopsis: EMB-XRJ flight crew reported a fume event during departure climb which resulted in an air return.