B737-300
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 324; Flight Crew Type 10000
Time Pressure; Workload; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; General Maintenance Action; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft; Human Factors; Weather
FL350 aircraft experienced gradual loss of cabin pressurization. Pilots donned masks after Cabin Altitude Warning horn sounded and ran QRH Checklist for Loss Pressurization. It was not a rapid depressurization; emergency descent into ZZZ. No problems with communication between pilots; flight attendants; or ATC. [We] declared an emergency. Cabin climbed to 15;000 FT as we passed FL 180. [We] made a slow emergency descent as we were descending into thunderstorms. Cabin depressurized at 1;000-1;500 FPM the entire time. Removed masks below 10;000 FT. [We] landed on the runway with thunderstorms near airport. [We] had a 16 KT tailwind on landing with shifting winds. Decided to land with tailwind; as I was concerned with 122 people onboard that someone may have needed medical attention. Paramedics met us at the gate and three people were examined; released; and no one was transported. Coordinated with Dispatch and Maintenance Control and recorded the event in the logbook.
[Narrative #2 contained no additional information]
A B737-300 pressurization system failed at FL350 so an emergency was declared; a descent begun and the QRH completed as they diverted to a nearby airport. The cabin and aircraft altitudes met at 15;000 FT.