Date: 202112
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Descent; Climb; Initial Climb; Landing
Airspace: Class B ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Tower ZZZ
Aircraft component: Flight Dynamics
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Pilot Not Flying; Captain
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Distraction; Other / Unknown; Situational Awareness; Time Pressure; Troubleshooting; Workload; Communication Breakdown
Second reporter function: Pilot Flying; First Officer
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Landing Without Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Incursion Runway
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors
Primary problem: Ambiguous

Narrative: On departure out of ZZZ Airport the Flight Crew had a flight control issue and notified ATC. I advised ATC that we wanted to return to ZZZ and I notified ATC. While ATC sequenced the flight for arrival I was running emergency checklists; notifying Dispatch and preparing the aircraft for approach. The flight crew briefed and planned for an approach to [runway]; the longest runway. ATC cleared the flight for approach and landing; and the crew landed safely on [runway]. While taxing to the gate and reflecting on the hectic flight control issue; the crew became aware that it was possible that ATC had cleared us for [the parallel runway]. During the initial check on with ZZZ Approach it might not have been clear to the crew that they had been assigned a [different] landing runway. The only way this could have happened is because I was off frequency talking to the Flight Attendant and making a PA to passengers. I told the FO I wanted XX. He was working radios while I was doing pilot monitoring flying duties.   I did not think to confirm the runway assignment with ATC.


Second narrative: While climbing out of ZZZ passing around 4;000 feet and speed around 230 knots; both the Captain and First officer immediately noticed an unknown vibration and flutter in the controls. The First Officer (pilot flying) disconnected the Auto Pilot and confirmed flight control continuity. The Captain decided to have us return to ZZZ. On approach to XX; the First Officer noted that with the flaps out the aircraft controls felt heavy as well as continued to have vibration. The crew landed on XX safely and returned to the gate. At the gate with maintenance personal; the flight crew discovered that the Engine 1 oil service door and air start door had opened in flight and had been the cause of the aircraft vibration.On departure out of ZZZ Airport the Flight Crew had a flight control issue. The Captain advised ATC that they'd like to return to ZZZ and requested priority handling. While ATC sequenced the flight for arrival the crew was running emergency checklists; notifying dispatch and preparing the aircraft for approach. The flight crew briefed and planned for an approach to XX; the longest runway. ATC cleared the flight for approach and landing; and the crew landed safely on XX. While taxing to the gate and reflecting on the hectic flight control issue; the crew became aware that it was possible that ATC had cleared us for XXR instead of XX. During the initial check on with ZZZ approach it might not have been clear to the crew that they had been assigned a landing runway of XXR.


Synopsis: EMB-145 flight crew reported a flight control problem after takeoff. They requested and were granted a return to the departure airport. During taxi to the assigned gate; the crew realized they may have landed on the wrong runway. There were no comments from ATC.