EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Aircraft; Human Factors
During cruise flight at FL320 I had noticed a physiological change in pressurization. It had drawn my attention to the EICAS and noticed that the differential pressure was rising as well as the cabin altitude. I had verbalized the issue and called for the oxygen masks. I had put my oxygen mask on as well as the captain and then performed the memory items for the emergency descent. We had notified the flight attendant and ATC of our intentions while performing several duties. Once we had leveled off at 10;000 feet; we decided on an alternate and landed uneventfully and taxied to the gate without incident. The aircraft had approximately 25 passengers on it which is light in relation to standard operations. During the descent the aircraft had pitched down excessively to maintain the 240 knots as stated by procedure. The captain had reduced the descent to 220 knots because he stated that the tail was shaking. The aircraft was never out of control however this event varied from the suggested emergency descent procedure.
EMB-145 First Officer at FL320 detected a pressure change in his ears and noted on the EICAS that the cabin altitude was rising. Oxygen masks were donned and an emergency descent initiated with a level off at 10;000 feet. The crew elected to divert to a suitable alternate.