CRJ200 flight crew reported they forgot to review MEL actions for a deferred pack prior to departure resulting in a pressurization failure during climb and a return to departure airport.
Synopsis
CRJ200 flight crew reported they forgot to review MEL actions for a deferred pack prior to departure resulting in a pressurization failure during climb and a return to departure airport.
Narrative
Our day started with a late hotel shuttle; which caused us to be late for our report time. There was no gate agent at the gate when we arrived and the jet bridge was not at the aircraft. We had an MEL for a right Pack deferred. I made a mental note of it while looking at the release at the hotel but forgot to review the MEL with my FO before departure. I was trying to get first flights done and set up for my first de-icing procedure as a Captain. All checklists were normal and we proceeded to takeoff. When I called for the After Takeoff checklist; because we did not review the MEL; I did not decrease thrust prior to my FO swapping the bleeds. This caused the left pack to shut off and we were then unable to pressurize the airplane. I verified all switch lights were in the correct position and determined we had a failed pack. We momentarily climbed above 10;000' while starting the QRH procedure for unpressurized Flight and immediately descended back to 10;000'. We ran the QRH procedure for Unpressurized Flight and entered a hold in order to formulate a plan; get landing numbers for ZZZ; and try to burn some fuel. I notified the Flight Attendant (FA) of the situation at this time. We received the caution for Cabin Alt and immediately donned our O2 masks. Shortly after donning my O2 mask I noticed symptoms of hypoxia in myself and determined the safest course of action was to immediately return to the field. I then notified the passengers that we were returning to the field. The symptoms I identified were a tingling sensation; reduction in cognitive functioning; and fatigue. We flew a visual approach to landing. Upon landing we were 1500 pounds overweight with a rate of descent of 200 feet per minute. We landed without issue; cleared the runway; and taxied into the gate. The cause of this event was the CA not reviewing the MEL with the FO and ensuring compliance with it. Contributing factors were running behind schedule due to circumstances uncontrollable by the crew; which created a rushed thought process in addition to additional tasks prior to departure with the flight crew's first deicing procedure of the winter. I know that MEL's are included in the tasks for the Originating Check but I think having it as a challenge and response checklist item would help prevent this type of occurrence.
Second reporter narrative
At the start of the day the hotel shuttle was late causing us to be about 10 mins late to our report time. Once we got to the gate we were met with no gate agent causing us to have less time to get out on time. Preflight procedures were preformed as usual. I went to check MEL's and while looking at them I reviewed and prior to prompting discussion with Captain I got distracted by another task. This caused the Captain and I to never review the MEL together. We pushed back; deiced and taxied out uneventfully. Prior to take off we discussed it was a bleeds closed takeoff and that I would be swapping the bleeds and dropping APU on the After takeoff check. I did so while forgetting to discuss with Captain the additional procedure when completing this due to the MEL. This caused the L pack to shut off and we were unable to pressurize the airplane. We verifed switch lights were in correct position and determined the L pack was not operating. This occurred while climbing through 9;500 feet. We climbed a few hundred feet above 10;000 feet before we were able to notify ATC and descend back down to 10;000. We received a cabin ALT message and quickly donned our oxygen masks. The Captain indicated he felt symptoms of hypoxia prompting us to determine a return to field was necessary. The Captain began to run the QRH and I took controls. We held at the nearest fix to us. We discussed our plan to return to field; I got landing data while Captain briefed the landing. We communicated with Flight Attendant and ATC and got a clearance for a visual approach back into the airport. Upon landing we were 1;500 pounds over weight but felt we needed to land instead of burning fuel due to Captains symptoms of hypoxia. We landed uneventfully; and taxied to gate. This event was caused by lack of attention to detail by flight crew. Being that we were late due to shuttle and gate agent we worked quickly to get out on time and failed to discuss MEL procedures. Contributing factors were being behind schedule that caused a hurry up mentality. Added tasks with both Captain and I's first deicing procedure in awhile. Another factor was that this was my first trip back after a leave period. This caused me to take more time than usual to complete my preflight tasks and allowed me to become more easily distracted by other tasks. This issue can be avoided in the future by not clicking the review button on the MEL until it is discussed by both Captain and I. Another suggestion would be to make reviewing MEL's a challenge and response item on the originating check.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.