Date: 201204
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: Windshear
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Initial Climb
Airspace: Class B ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Aircraft component: Engine Oil Seals
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; First Officer
Human factors: Physiological - Other; Situational Awareness; Workload
Second reporter function: Captain; Pilot Not Flying
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action; General Declared Emergency
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: After climbing past approximately 1;000 FT; we noticed an odor in the cockpit that increased in intensity. I looked toward the Captain's side of the cockpit and noticed that there was a haze in the air inside of the cockpit. The haze was getting thicker and the smell increased in intensity. We performed the memory items for cabin smoke; informed Departure that we were declaring an emergency; and that we needed to return to the airport to land. The smoke began to subside when the recirculation fan was turned off. The Flight Attendant called shortly thereafter and informed us that there was smoke in the cabin as well. We alerted her and told her we would be landing in 10-15 minutes. She then made her emergency PA to the passengers. We were given vectors to land. Due to the crosswind component being near the limit for the aircraft; and the overweight landing situation; the Captain took control of the aircraft on short final and landed. There was no smoke in the cockpit present upon landing. The Flight Attendant called and said there was no smoke present in the cabin. We coordinated with Ground Control to have an emergency crew come to inspect the airplane's exterior for evidence of fire or smoke. The emergency crew found no evidence of either; so we then coordinated with operation to bring the aircraft back to the gate. At the gate we deplaned and talked with Maintenance about the event. The state in which the event occurred (shortly after takeoff) was a threat. The high crosswind; slight wind shear; and overweight landing were also threats. Undesired states were smoke in the cockpit and having to communicate through oxygen masks. Experiencing this kind of situation in real-life (and not in the simulator; when I am expecting it) will help me to realize the very real possibility of this happening in the future. I will be better prepared now when it does happen.

Callback: The Reporter stated that Maintenance determined an internal engine oil seal had allowed oil to bypass and enter the air conditioning system. He believed that this was the third event in a week.

Second narrative: Heavy and busy workload in quick air return situation with crosswinds and overweight landing. Abnormal communication with O2 masks and goggles on.


Synopsis: A CRJ-145 crew reported an odor and haze which developed into heavy smoke after takeoff so an emergency was declared and the flight returned to the departure airport. An engine oil seal leak was suspected.