A320 flight crew reported a loss of pressurization system during climb. Flight crew executed QRH procedures and requested priority handling to return to departure airport where a safe landing completed.
Synopsis
A320 flight crew reported a loss of pressurization system during climb. Flight crew executed QRH procedures and requested priority handling to return to departure airport where a safe landing completed.
Narrative
As we were climbing through 33;000 ft.; the First Officer (FO) noticed that the cabin altitude was increasing at a rapid rate and it was starting to get excessively high. Immediately after noticing this; we got a Master Warning followed by the Cabin Pressure Excessive Cabin Altitude ECAM. We immediately did our memory action items for [Priority] Descent and ran the QRC and started an [Priority] Descent. We notified ATC; and squawked 7700. The flight attendants were notified via the [priority] call button to immediately get on oxygen due to our cabin depressurization; and given the briefing. Once we were stabilized in the descent; I finished running the ECAM; and the QRH. We did an air return back to ZZZ and ran the overweight landing checklist in the QRH. The passenger oxygen masks deployed in the cabin. The flight attendants were smelling the smoke from the oxygen generators; but it sounded like it was more centrally located in the rear of the cabin toward the tail. We decided for precautionary measures to get CFR to inspect the tail section for any potential hot spots. All clear was given; and we then returned back to the gate with no further incidences. This discrepancy was entered into the aircraft logbook.We had no known passenger injuries. Three flight attendants; #2; #3; and #4; were complaining about being dizzy afterwards.
Second reporter narrative
I was the pilot monitoring. As we were climbing through FL 330; I noticed that all indications were 'green;' but the cabin altitude was excessively high--9;200 ft.--and was rapidly increasing. Immediately after I asked the Captain about this reading; there was a Master Warning followed by the 'Cabin Pressure: Excessive Cabin Altitude' ECAM message. We immediately did our memory action items for [Priority] Descent. The Captain started an [Priority] Descent and told me to notify ATC that we need an [Priority] Descent to 10;000 MSL; which I did. He changed the transponder code to 7700. ATC initially cleared us down to FL 300; and very soon after to 10;000 MSL. The flight attendants were notified to 'get on oxygen' due to our cabin depressurization; and they were briefed.Once we were stabilized in the descent; the Captain gave me control of the airplane and then continued running the ECAM actions and the QRH. The passenger oxygen masks were deployed. Once we leveled at 10;000 MSL; we advised ATC that we wanted to return to ZZZ; and were given the clearance 'Right turn; direct ZZZ.'The Captain advised the passengers it was now safe to remove their masks. He also sent an ACARS message to Dispatch informing them of our pressurization and an air return back to ZZZ; and he ran the Overweight Landing checklist from the QRH. The two flight attendants in the rear of the aircraft informed us that they smelled the odor from the oxygen generators. The Captain told me to go fast in order to expedite our return. We decided on precautionary measures; so we advised ATC that we would be stopping on the runway and would need Crash Fire Rescue (CFR) inspect the aircraft for any potential hot spots. We also requested the longer Runway--XXR. After the Captain loaded the approach; he took control of the airplane. I made a brief announcement to the passengers that we would be stopping on the runway for a precautionary inspection.After landing and stopping on the runway; CFR inspected the airplane. 'All clear' was given to us; and we then taxied to the gate. After the cabin door was opened; the CFR leader came onto the flight deck to check if there were any injuries or medical issues. We had no known passenger injuries. Three flight attendants; #2; #3; and #4; were complaining about being dizzy afterwards. The original ECAM message and Overweight Landing were entered into the aircraft logbook.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.