Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 90; Flight Crew Total 4500; Flight Crew Type 200
Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
After experiencing a rapid decompression; we began our [rapid] descent prior to advising ATC of the need to descend. At some point after the [rapid] descent began; ATC queried us on our altitude. At that point I advised ATC that we were in an 'emergency descent'. After further clarification; ATC cleared us to descend and maintain 11;000. Shortly thereafter; we diverted to [a nearby airport].
The pilot of a PA-46 reported a cabin decompression; followed by a rapid descent that was not coordinated with ATC.