According to CBS News, the pilot can be heard on LiveATC saying that there is a problem and requesting a lower altitude. There is some delay in ATC working out a lower altitude, and eventually clears the plane to only FL200. Which is acknowledged, but the plane never descends and no further communication.
This is a tragic reminder that when you have an emergency, don't hesitate to STATE that it is an emergency to get priority handling and don't hesitate to exercise PIC authority when necessary. At 25,000 the time of useful consciousness is just a few minutes.
Uhmmm,
NO! You do what needs to be done to save your life and the lives of your passenger THEN and only THEN do you advise ATC of what you are doing and declare an emergency. It is spelled out very concisely in the FARs. I've lost a cabin at altitude in an A-320at FL320. YOU DO NOT wait for an ATC clearance YOU DO NOT declare an emergency yet, you put on your mask, you start your rapid descent THEN and only then do you advise ATC that you are doing an rapid D and declare an emergency.
§91.123 Compliance with ATC clearances and instructions.
(a) When an ATC clearance has been obtained, no pilot in command may deviate from that clearance
unless an amended clearance is obtained,
an emergency exists, or the deviation is in response to a traffic alert and collision avoidance system resolution advisory. However, except in Class A airspace, a pilot may cancel an IFR flight plan if the operation is being conducted in VFR weather conditions. When a pilot is uncertain of an ATC clearance, that pilot shall immediately request clarification from ATC.
(b)
Except in an emergency, no person may operate an aircraft contrary to an ATC instruction in an area in which air traffic control is exercised.
(c)
Each pilot in command who, in an emergency, or in response to a traffic alert and collision avoidance system resolution advisory, deviates from an ATC clearance or instruction
shall notify ATC of that deviation as soon as possible.
(d) Each pilot in command who (though not deviating from a rule of this subpart) is given priority by ATC in an emergency, shall submit a detailed report of that emergency within 48 hours to the manager of that ATC facility, if requested by ATC.
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No clearance needed when it comes to emergency operations.