B737-700
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Workload; Troubleshooting; Time Pressure; Distraction
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
While at cruise altitude FL400 we had an altitude warning light illuminate with the associated warning horn. We completed the appropriate checklist donning our oxygen mask and beginning an emergency descent. ATC was notified; inflight crew was coordinated with and company was notified via ACARS. At approximately 22;000 feet we regained control of the cabin and continued a normal descent to 14;000 feet to ensure terrain clearances. We returned to [departure airport] and made a normal landing.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
B737 flight crew reported a loss of cabin pressure while at cruise altitude. After conducting an emergency descent; cabin pressurization was stabilized; and a return to the departure airport was successfully accomplished.