A Q400 pressurization failed after takeoff alerting cabin pressure so the flight returned to the dep...

Narrative:

The actual event reported is lack of an amended release due to a pressurization problem followed by an air return. Climbing through 14;000 ft we received a 'cabin press' master warning. We noticed cabin alt pressure was at 10;000. We ran the QRH and were unable to regain pressurization and decided to descend to 10;000 ft. We sent dispatch a message telling them we had a pressurization problem; 'continue to our filed destination or return to the departure airport?' we received two messages back; one stating 'what are your intentions'; and the other said 'what is the issue?' at this point due to crew and passenger discomfort we decided to return to the departure airport since we were less than 50 NM from the airport. We sent dispatch and operations a message stating we were returning. Now the issue arises that we never received confirmation or an amended release from dispatch to return. We did have the current weather; and valid landing data. At no point was an emergency declared. Upon landing; we re-evaluated the situation and realized an amended release had never been received. Due to the close proximity of our landing airport completion of all appropriate checklist and coordination with ATC; and discomfort caused by the pressurization problem; we failed to verify we had an amended release.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Q400 pressurization failed after takeoff alerting CABIN PRESSURE so the flight returned to the departure airport but were unable to obtain an amended dispatch release for the return flight.

Narrative: The actual event reported is LACK OF AN AMENDED RELEASE due to a pressurization problem followed by an air return. Climbing through 14;000 FT we received a 'Cabin Press' Master Warning. We noticed Cabin Alt pressure was at 10;000. We ran the QRH and were unable to regain pressurization and decided to descend to 10;000 FT. We sent Dispatch a message telling them we had a pressurization problem; 'continue to our filed destination or return to the departure airport?' We received two messages back; one stating 'What are your intentions'; and the other said 'What is the issue?' At this point due to crew and passenger discomfort we decided to return to the departure airport since we were less than 50 NM from the airport. We sent Dispatch and Operations a message stating we were returning. Now the issue arises that we never received confirmation or an amended release from Dispatch to return. We did have the current weather; and valid landing data. At no point was an emergency declared. Upon landing; we re-evaluated the situation and realized an amended release had never been received. Due to the close proximity of our landing airport completion of all appropriate checklist and coordination with ATC; and discomfort caused by the pressurization problem; we failed to verify we had an amended release.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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	980954
Time
Date	201111
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Q400
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Pressurization System
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying First Officer
Person 2
Function	Pilot Not Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

A Q400 pressurization failed after takeoff alerting cabin pressure so the flight returned to the departure airport but were unable to obtain an amended dispatch release for the return flight.