Narrative:

After takeoff; we were unable to control the pressurization in the automatic mode. After doing the aom checklist; we were able to get the aircraft pressurized in the manual mode. At 16;000 ft; the cabin altitude indication in cockpit went to dashes; and we were unable to continue in the manual mode; so we returned safely to our departure airport; ZZZZ. During deplaning; I overheard a passenger commenting to the flight attendant about ear discomfort.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: An EMB135 flight crew experienced loss of pressurization after takeoff and returned to land at their departure airport.

Narrative: After takeoff; we were unable to control the pressurization in the Automatic Mode. After doing the AOM checklist; we were able to get the aircraft pressurized in the Manual Mode. At 16;000 FT; the cabin altitude indication in cockpit went to dashes; and we were unable to continue in the Manual Mode; so we returned safely to our departure airport; ZZZZ. During deplaning; I overheard a passenger commenting to the Flight Attendant about ear discomfort.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.