Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 9900; Flight Crew Type 2000
Time Pressure
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Aircraft
[On] climb out our aircraft failed to pressurize. We discovered that the right rear service door had not been closed properly and was allowing the air to escape. We did not declare an emergency and elected to divert to [a larger nearby airport]. Maintenance came out and re-closed the door; signed off our log book and sent us on our way back to [destination]. The whole situation transpired so fast that only later was I troubled by several factors: 1) We should have declared an emergency since we were in [a] special flight area; and were being vectored around for close to an hour while we troubleshot the problem. 2) How is it that a caterer can improperly close the door on a brand new 737 and there not be an indicator light come on in the cockpit; even in flight with a huge gap showing around the door seal with all the air rushing out!3) After we took off the second time; I began to worry that we might not have all the paperwork required to dispatch legally. I was on OE after only recently being hired by the airline and only had about 25 hours at that point. I STILL am not sure; because the requirements are so convoluted and there isn't a single list of required items in the flight manual...there ought to be.
A B737 aircraft failed to pressurize after takeoff. A rear service door was found to be improperly closed. They did not have a warning light in the cockpit.