Narrative:

Level at FL380 approaching top of descent; we received a right pack off and right pack temp message. As we started the checklist for right pack off; we received a left pack off and left pack temp message. All three of us including a company jumpseater donned oxygen masks and I asked for lower altitude. ATC kept giving us lower altitudes but not 10;000. I declared emergency with ATC. Jumpseater was working through checklist while I talked to ATC; captain kept flying airplane. Captain never switched to oxygen for his mic so I couldn't understand what he was asking me to do; jumpseater in the normal observer seat (behind first officer) doesn't have a radio control panel so it was hard to understand what he was saying too. We eventually reset both packs and regained control of cabin altitude as it was reaching 10;000. Leveled off at FL240 and remained there until we started normal descent into our destination.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: When both left and right packs over temped and shut down; the flight crew of a B757 began an emergency descent and declared an emergency. Communication on the flight deck was compromised by improper use of the oxygen mask microphones. The packs were reset during the descent; the cabin stabilized at 10;000 feet; and the descent stopped at FL240. A normal descent for landing was made as they approached their destination.

Narrative: Level at FL380 approaching top of descent; we received a Right Pack Off and Right Pack Temp message. As we started the checklist for Right Pack Off; we received a Left Pack Off and Left Pack Temp message. All three of us including a company jumpseater donned oxygen masks and I asked for lower altitude. ATC kept giving us lower altitudes but not 10;000. I declared emergency with ATC. Jumpseater was working through checklist while I talked to ATC; captain kept flying airplane. Captain never switched to oxygen for his mic so I couldn't understand what he was asking me to do; jumpseater in the normal observer seat (behind FO) doesn't have a radio control panel so it was hard to understand what he was saying too. We eventually reset both packs and regained control of cabin altitude as it was reaching 10;000. Leveled off at FL240 and remained there until we started normal descent into our destination.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.