B737-800 captain notices the aircraft is not pressurizing early in the climb; just before the forwar...

Narrative:

After takeoff at approximately 4;500 MSL; noticed the aircraft was not pressurizing. At about the same time; the number 1 flight attendant called and said there was a very loud air-leak sound coming from the forward entry door. Leveled off and analysis confirmed aircraft not pressurizing. No door warning lights illuminated and air conditioning and bleed panel was set up normally and normal duct pressure. [We] declared an emergency return; accomplished overweight landing and emergency landing QRH. Referenced the landing data card. Approach and landing were normal and uneventful with touchdown vvi approximately 100 ft/minute. Rolled out to the end to avoid hot brakes and cleared the runway. Arff confirmed aircraft looked normal and no hot brakes. Arff followed to gate. Other option would be to burn off fuel and land below max landing [weight]. VMC dry and a very long runway available; considered the above option well within safety limits.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737-800 Captain notices the aircraft is not pressurizing early in the climb; just before the forward Flight Attendant reports a loud air leak at the forward entry door. Flight returns to the departure airport for an overweight landing.

Narrative: After takeoff at approximately 4;500 MSL; noticed the aircraft was not pressurizing. At about the same time; the Number 1 Flight Attendant called and said there was a very loud air-leak sound coming from the forward entry door. Leveled off and analysis confirmed aircraft not pressurizing. No door warning lights illuminated and air conditioning and bleed panel was set up normally and normal duct pressure. [We] declared an emergency return; accomplished overweight landing and emergency landing QRH. Referenced the Landing Data Card. Approach and landing were normal and uneventful with touchdown VVI approximately 100 FT/minute. Rolled out to the end to avoid hot brakes and cleared the runway. ARFF confirmed aircraft looked normal and no hot brakes. ARFF followed to gate. Other option would be to burn off fuel and land below max landing [weight]. VMC dry and a very long runway available; considered the above option well within safety limits.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Attributes
ACN	1028890
Time
Date	201208
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737-800
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Exterior Pax/Crew Door
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

B737-800 captain notices the aircraft is not pressurizing early in the climb; just before the forward flight attendant reports a loud air leak at the forward entry door. Flight returns to the departure airport for an overweight landing.