A319 flight crew reported a failure of the automatic cabin pressurization system to maintain cabin pressure while in a descent to the destination airport. Manual pressurization control was required to stabilize cabin pressure for landing.
Synopsis
A319 flight crew reported a failure of the automatic cabin pressurization system to maintain cabin pressure while in a descent to the destination airport. Manual pressurization control was required to stabilize cabin pressure for landing.
Narrative
We were given an early descent clearance into ZZZ on the Arrival from FL380 to FL340. We were just setting up to do our briefings when the pressurization page on our lower ECAM displayed a pulsing green cabin altitude of 9000 feet. Noting that and its trend we seated our passengers and Flight Attendants. We asked for lower altitude to try to mitigate the situation and were cleared to FL290. In the descent the cabin continued to climb so we donned our oxygen masks; and [requested priority handling] as the cabin altitude had climbed to just above 11000 feet. We completed the emergency descent checklist and leveled at 10000. The cabin altitude was still not coming down. We selected the manual mode of pressurization and partially closed the outflow valve and lowered the cabin for landing. ZZZ was subsequently changing the landing runway configuration from south to north so a new ATIS was obtained. We requested a direct routing to the FAF for landing and entered the new ATIS on the performance page. It was then noted that the altimeter had been entered erroneously in the box. It was entered as 22.96 instead of 29.96. It was corrected and we landed without further incident.
Second reporter narrative
We were cruising at FL380 and level approaching the ZZZZZ RNAV arrival and inbound to ZZZZZ1 intersection. I verified all of the constraints on the arrival for landing south in ZZZ and I was waiting for the ATIS update to be issued before briefing our descent and arrival into ZZZ. ZZZ Center issued us a crossing constraint at ZZZZZ1 of FL340. We received the new ATIS; and then I started our descent to cross the intersection as specified by ATC. I believe I asked my FO if she had reviewed the arrival constraints as I was getting ready to brief. I think she was doing this as we leveled off at FL340.She then brought to my attention that the system display had changed to the pressure page and that our cabin altitude was high and pulsing green. We then requested lower to see if that would help the cabin altitude stay within limits. ZZZ Center cleared us to descend to FL260; which we did.Our cabin altitude kept increasing during our descent and my FO suggested seating the passengers and the Flight Attendants; which I agree was prudent and she did so.Our cabin altitude was climbing close to 10;000' at this point; so I directed the that we should go on O2 and we requested a further descent; eventually descending to 9;000'. Our cabin altitude was still indicating high; get to above 11;000' on the display. We only had 1 ECAM message which was for 'excessive cabin rate.' My FO was referencing the QRH; but didn't find anything helpful.At this point; I directed her to go to manual control of the outflow valve and close it to try to get to a cabin altitude of around 8;000'; which she did.We had [requested priority handling] during our descent as the cabin altitude approached 10;000' and then I requested to proceed direct to ZZZZZ2 final approach fix for Runway XXL. I coordinated with our Flight Attendants and my FO sent a message to our Dispatcher. I also made a brief PA announcement to our passengers.At this point I heard that ZZZ was in the process of issuing a new ATIS and possibly changing their runway configuration. I asked my FO to get the new ATIS and load that into the FMC.Upon doing so; she noticed that the previous altimeter setting in the FMC was 22.96; and she loaded the correct altimeter setting and the rest of the data.We landed on Runway XXL and proceeded to the gate uneventfully.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.