Date: 201508
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Climb
Airspace: Class E ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Aircraft component: Air Conditioning and Pressurization Pack
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Second reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Not Flying
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Flight Attendant; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: Flight Attendant (FA) called and stated smoke in cabin at 4;700 MSL. We then asked for a direct return to airport from ATC. We then executed the cabin fire smoke memory items and checklist. After donning oxygen mask. The suspected problem was the air conditioning. Both packs and bleeds were deselected. Briefed FA who stated that the smoke was less but smell remained. We briefed the visual approach and landed. Fire and rescue looked aircraft over and gave us the go ahead to taxi to gate. I made a PA to passengers and the FO called Operations and told them the problem and asked for a gate to deplane. We did have to make an overweight landing no overweight inspection was needed due to landing being within tolerance. Maintenance MEL'd pack and continued flight.


Second narrative: We were climbing out on the RNAV departure. At around 4;000 feet I noticed a sulfur smell in the cockpit; and shortly after the smell turned into more of a smoke scent. Around 4;600 feet we got a call from the Flight Attendant saying there was smoke in the cabin. At that point we informed ATC of the situation and told them we would need to return directly to the airport. We initiated a descent and turn for radar vectors to perform a visual approach. We then donned our oxygen masks; decided to deselect both packs and ran the QRC. After running the checklist we decided to have the fire trucks meet us upon landing. We were vectored onto the final approach course and performed a visual approach followed by an overweight landing. We taxied off the runway on to Taxiway Charlie; stopped the airplane; and had the fire department perform a visual inspection to determine if we needed to evacuate. The fire department determined there was no visible evidence of a need to evacuate; and we had no fire or smoke indications on the EICAS. We decided to return to the gate with a fire department escort. At that point I called operations to coordinate a return to the gate. Once at the gate we deplaned immediately and had maintenance and the fire department come on board to inspect the airplane. We ended up MELing the pack and continued on. The return to airport portion of the flight was very hectic. I believe the captain and I maintained a good level of crew communication and workload management. It was a good exercise in crew coordination and communication. I don't think there is any way to prevent something like this from happening; however it was an excellent learning experience and an important lesson in prioritizing many tasks within a limited time frame.


Synopsis: EMB145 flight crew is informed by the Flight Attendant of smoke in the cabin during climb out. The crew executes procedures for cabin smoke and both packs are turned off. Flight returns to the departure airport for an overweight landing.