Date: 201909
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: B737-700
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Cruise; Descent; Landing
Aircraft component: Engine
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Reporter qualification: Flight Attendant Current
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness; Physiological - Other; Fatigue; Distraction
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Detector: Person Flight Attendant; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Company Policy
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: Shortly after we began our in flight service the deadheading Captain called the flight attendants and asked us to discretely go into the cabin and look at the engine on the First Officers side to see if there was any oil leaking out and visible. The A Flight Attendant came to the back and said she couldn't see due to the customers (full flight). We decided to ask them to get up we needed to observe something. We had to ask 3 different rows of passengers in order to fully observe the entire engine casing. We reported we didn't see any oil that looked fresh. We all agreed to stay informed of any changes and continue to watch for any oil. We then got a call from the Captain to suspend service. Things were declining and he was on the radio with Dispatch approximately and hour from my understanding. We all three shut down galleys and double latched in preparation for things to possibly not improve. We then got a call we were diverting.We contacted the cockpit as to inquire what actions to take. The Captain was still on radio with dispatch. Clean up and be seated was all he was able to relay as they were very busy. We gathered our planned emergency cards and reviewed our responsibilities to be prepared for the worse. I messaged my family with 'I love you' just in case things turned out bad. Our descent was abrupt due to the air breaks. The customers were deeply concerned and asking questions. The internet was turned off. The cabin was quiet and things felt very surreal and tense. We made our landing safely and stopped for a bit on the runway; then taxied to the gate. Our pilots were pulled and scheduled to deadhead. No one contacted the flight attendants AT ALL. We were sent to gate XX to continue on with our day on a different aircraft. Our C Flight Attendant was visibly shaken; her knees felt weak and she was on the verge of crying. She called scheduling and Company Communications System and she was pulled when we arrived in ZZZ. After speaking with the Captain who was deadheading; he came to speak to us during the flight to ZZZ. After finding out how dire the situation was and how rapidly things declined; that he shut down our engine; it hit me.I began to tremble; I became very distraught that we were not taken into consideration of how this may have affected us. We worked the flight from ZZZ to ZZZ1 in a daze. My service was horrible. My thoughts were everywhere and I felt extremely distraught when we learned neither Dispatch nor anyone else EVER inquired about the Flight Attendant crew. I couldn't think and fought back my tears. I can tell you our crew WAS affected. It was frightening and intense. I was made aware that the Company Communications System told our C Flight Attendant that they were told there was NO impact on the flight attendants. NO ONE asked. Our A Flight Attendant lost her place in the opening PA on the segment to ZZZ due to the stress. We could not think. If there is an incident and pilots are pulled the entire crew should be given the same consideration. I would like to believe we are just as valued as them. It is after all our job to get these people out should it come to that.We all are a crew; we all are in this together as a crew; every one of us should be valued and cared about equally. With the initial event the adrenaline kicks in along with our training you can put on your A game. Once the event is over and the adrenaline has subsided; the incident along with all the possible outcomes begin to sink in along with the anxiety; fear; and associated post traumatic issues. Then you are hustled over to carry on and work another flight. What state would a crew be in to handle another event? If one crew member is pulled we all should receive the equal.




Synopsis: Flight attendant reported being required to work after a flight diverted due to an engine failure; causing emotional distress.