Date: 201301
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Dawn
Aircraft: Regional Jet 700 ER/LR (CRJ700)
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Climb
Airspace: Class B ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Human factors: Workload; Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Automation Aircraft Other Automation; Person Flight Attendant
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action; General Declared Emergency
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: Pre-flight and first flight of the day checks were completed without event. We taxied out for takeoff. During climbout we received a master warning LAV smoke indication. The flight attendant(s) chimed us to inform us they too were receiving a LAV smoke alarm. We informed the cabin crew we would be declaring an emergency and returning to the field. It was requested that one of them check and see if there was visible indication of smoke/fire or any unusual odor. While running our normal checklists we informed Departure that we were getting a smoke indication in our LAV and we would be returning to the field. An emergency was declared at this time. I was the Captain and pilot flying on this flight. After leveling off at our assigned altitude of 5;000 FT and completing normal climbout checklists I requested the First Officer complete the QRH items for smoke in the lav. I flew the aircraft and maintained contact with ATC. We were cleared for the visual back into the departure airport. The flight attendants had been briefed earlier to inform the passengers we were returning to the field and why we were doing so. They were told we didn't anticipate evacuating after landing. The First Officer completed the QRH items. During this time period the cabin crew notified us there was no visible indication of smoke or fire. One flight attendant informed us she smelled an odor of something electrical burning. The First Officer and I decided at this time to have fire and rescue meet us after landing. ATC honored this request in addition to the previous declared emergency landing. After landing we exited runway and taxied the aircraft to the remote pad. We were in communication with fire and rescue. They performed a thermal imaging scan around the aircraft and saw no indication of a fire. Passengers remained on the plane as we taxied to the gate. Fire and rescue escorted us to the gate. They also inspected the lav interior after we parked and they found no fire indication. At this time all passengers were deplaned. The company was notified and a write-up with Maintenance was initiated.




Synopsis: A CRJ-700 Master Caution and Lavatory Smoke alarm alerted after takeoff so the QRH was completed; an emergency declared and the flight returned to the departure airport where the Airport Rescue and Fire Fighter examination found no hot spots.