Date: 201711
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Night
Aircraft: EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Climb
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ
Aircraft component: Pneumatic System
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Not Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: I was a Captain involved in an air return to [departure airport]. My decision to return was due to several compounding factors. While climbing through approximately FL220; 'BLEED 2 FAIL' presented on the EICAS. It is of note that Bleed 1 had previously been deferred and was not operational for this flight. The APU was selected off after takeoff and cannot supply bleed air above 15;000 ft. This left the aircraft temporarily without a bleed source for the ECS (Environmental Control System) system. The aircraft cabin climb rate increased from its normal 300-400 fpm climb to approximately 1000 fpm. In the moment; with ATC approval; we elected [to] level off; then began a descent; then slowed the airplane down and took a vector. During this time; the First Officer flew the plane and operated the radios while I ran the QRH for BLEED 2 FAIL. After running the QRH; we were able to clear the BLEED 2 FAIL message. The QRH states that if the message clears; to continue with normal operations. If Bleed 1 had not already been deferred and this BLEED 2 were the only issue to factor in; all would be copacetic for continuing. However; on top of at least one; if not two compromised bleed sources; a look at the ECS synoptic page revealed that the crossbleed valve (although no EICAS message was indicating its failure) remained closed and thusly PACK 1 was off. Both PACK 1 and the XBLEED button on the overhead panel were pressed in (non-illuminated). This added to my concerns as proper operation of the XBLEED valve was a crucial stipulation of our existing BLEED 1 MEL procedure. At this point; I phone patched with Dispatch and Maintenance Control to broaden our circle; then made the decision to return to [departure airport] and conducted the tasks required for an air return.Further compounding the situation was that earlier in the day; with this same airplane (and same deferred Bleed 1); we also encountered mechanical issues with the BLEED 2 system as well. We were operating our 1st of 4 legs to start our day. We conducted an ECS Off takeoff into icing conditions (ENG & Wing) with the APU on for takeoff. Shortly after takeoff we were alerted via EICAS Caution of a BLEED 2 OVERPRESS. We ran the QRH and the caution cleared. Based on our results from following the QRH; it stated to continue with normal operations; so we continued. Once in [destination]; as directed by the Mechanical Irregularities Action Chart - Inflight; we contacted Maintenance Control and placed an entry in the logbook. Maintenance Control initially wanted to defer BLEED 2 but we reminded them that BLEED 1 was already deferred. They elected to send a mechanic to the airplane to run some static engine runs/tests. Bleed System 2 passed the requisite testing and we were cleared by Maintenance Control and conducted [the next flight] after a delay. This leg (2nd of 4) went by uneventfully.Below is a list of the compounding factors that contributed to our decision to return to [departure airport] rather than completing the flight as planned:1. Bleed 2 Fail on climb2. Previous mechanical issues that day with Bleed 23. Bleed 1 already inoperative per MEL4. Confusing and/or undesired state of Crossbleed valve after Bleed 2 fail event5. APU Bleed limited to 15;000' (fuel requirements made this a prohibitive option to rely on APU Bleed for backup ECS Bleed source)6. Mountainous terrain at night potentially limiting our options for descent if further necessary7. Loss of anti-icing capability in the event of BLEED 1 & 2 failure




Synopsis: EMB-175 Captain reported they were dispatched with pneumatic bleed Number 1 deferred inoperative and decided to return to departure airport after experiencing loss of pneumatic bleed Number 2.