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A320 flight crew experiences a gradual loss of cabin pressurization during initial descent for landing with the first officer the pilot flying. ECAM actions are complied with when cabin altitude exceeds 10;000 feet and manual pressurization is attempted. At one point during descent; aircraft began to over pressurize and safety valve opens. Flight continues to destination for normal landing and during taxi in ECAM alerts to cabin being pressurized on the ground.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1054480 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201212 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.ARTCC |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | A320 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Pressurization System |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Captain Pilot Not Flying |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150 Flight Crew Total 10500 Flight Crew Type 1500 |
| Person 2 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying First Officer |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100 Flight Crew Total 13000 Flight Crew Type 1000 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical |
Narrative:
Cruising at FL380 and start to step down for our approach. Step down to FL360 then FL320. While at FL320 notice on ECAM that cabin altitude is reading >9;000 feet and pulsing green then I believe steady amber. As cabin altitude continues to climb cabin altitude displays red followed by cabin attendant pr excess cabin attendant altitude ECAM (my recollection). Donned masks and requested lower from ATC. First officer flying and captain runs through ECAM checklist. Recall 3 or 4 steps. Crew oxy mask - on; ATC - notify; passenger oxy masks - man on. Followed ECAM. ATC asks if we are declaring an emergency and at that point we state affirmative. They give us direct to destination as we decide on alternates. First officer continues to step down. Recall at one point safety valve position drives open then closes. Feel a cool refreshing air flow. At approximately 16;000 feet enter into FM and this suggests trying cabin press mode sel to man. Doesn't appear to respond. Continue our descent and request a phone patch to dispatch. Also ACARS dispatch stating that we have declared an emergency and request possible alternate airports if necessary. Response from dispatch is that destination looks good. Once through 10;000 feet; remove oxygen masks and then level off at 8;000 feet. Notice cabin altitude is equal to aircraft altitude. Establish communications with purser; passengers and dispatch. Decide not to maintenance as we are closing in on destination and everything is under control. First officer briefs approach and lands uneventfully.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: A320 flight crew experiences a gradual loss of cabin pressurization during initial descent for landing with the First Officer the pilot flying. ECAM actions are complied with when cabin altitude exceeds 10;000 feet and manual pressurization is attempted. At one point during descent; aircraft began to over pressurize and safety valve opens. Flight continues to destination for normal landing and during taxi in ECAM alerts to cabin being pressurized on the ground.
Narrative: Cruising at FL380 and start to step down for our approach. Step down to FL360 then FL320. While at FL320 notice on ECAM that cabin altitude is reading >9;000 feet and pulsing green then I believe steady amber. As cabin altitude continues to climb cabin altitude displays red followed by CAB PR EXCESS CAB ALT ECAM (my recollection). Donned masks and requested lower from ATC. First Officer flying and Captain runs through ECAM checklist. Recall 3 or 4 steps. CREW OXY MASK - ON; ATC - NOTIFY; PAX OXY MASKS - MAN ON. Followed ECAM. ATC asks if we are declaring an emergency and at that point we state affirmative. They give us direct to destination as we decide on alternates. First Officer continues to step down. Recall at one point Safety Valve Position drives open then closes. Feel a cool refreshing air flow. At approximately 16;000 feet enter into FM and this suggests trying CABIN PRESS MODE SEL to MAN. Doesn't appear to respond. Continue our descent and request a phone patch to Dispatch. Also ACARS Dispatch stating that we have declared an emergency and request possible alternate airports if necessary. Response from Dispatch is that destination looks good. Once through 10;000 feet; remove oxygen masks and then level off at 8;000 feet. Notice cabin altitude is equal to aircraft altitude. Establish communications with Purser; passengers and Dispatch. Decide not to Maintenance as we are closing in on destination and everything is under control. First Officer briefs approach and lands uneventfully.
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.