Date: 201404
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: B737-800
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Takeoff / Launch; Parked
ATC / advisory: Ramp ZZZ
Aircraft component: Toilet Furnishing
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Reporter qualification: Flight Attendant Current
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Physiological - Other
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Maintenance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Detector: Person Flight Attendant; Person Gate Agent / CSR; Person Passenger; Person Ground Personnel; Person Maintenance
When detected: In-flight; Aircraft In Service At Gate
Result: General Maintenance Action; General Work Refused
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Procedure; Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors
Primary problem: Company Policy

Narrative: Upon arrival at the gate agents mentioned that the aircraft had a terrible smell. I proceeded to do my briefing with the agents and went to the aircraft. As I approached the aircraft you could tell there was something really wrong the smell was so strong you could smell it in the Jet Bridge. I met the other 2 flight attendants we did our pre flight checks and discussed the situation on board. I spoke to First Officer who was already on board and asked him if something had been written up in the logbook regarding the smell. We all agree at this point that Cabin Service needed to be called. I called the agents back. A called was place to Cabin Service. I also called Flight Service and Flight Service Managers showed up at the aircraft and witness what we were talking about. Few minutes later a CSM showed up to the aircraft as well. At this point the Captain showed up and he walked the cabin and he insisted he could not smell anything. I spoke to him regarding the smell and he agreed to get Cabin Service onboard. They proceeded to empty 2 bottles of lavatory spray into a mop and ran it through the carpet to dissipate the smell. I proceeded to check the lavatory and noticed that the bathroom was flooded. Cabin Service cleaned it and continued to spray the aircraft. We boarded the flight and received 6 complaints before closing the door. Passenger in XAEF asked me; what was the strong odor in the cabin. I responded that we were trying to work with it since the aircraft had been sitting in the hangar for 2 days. We pushed back and as we are showing the safety announcement passenger sitting in XBC rang her call bell twice and asked us for a plastic bag because the smell was getting her sick and she was about to vomit. Flight Attendant Number 4 took her to the back and sat her on the last row of Main Cabin to be close to the lavatories. The Captain informed me before we left that Cabin Service as well as Flight Service was going to meet the aircraft upon arrival. On our way since this is a converging service and due to the shortage of the flight you have to be quick doing the service. As I am coming back to the galley I notice that the carpet was wet. Passenger sitting in XCE informed me that the lavatory was flooded. I checked the lavatory and confirmed that indeed it was. At this point I locked the lavatory. I call the flight deck and gave them the write up. As the flight progressed the smell was getting worst and not dissipating as expected. Once in [our destination] we were met by the Senior Flight Service Manager; as well as the CSM and another Flight Service Manager. Cabin Service came onboard and the plane was cleaned. They vacuumed the entire aircraft and used Lysol in the aircraft as well as the Jet Bridge. I spoke extensively with the Management and explained the situation. Once Cabin Service left I went to check the lavatory again and notice that the lavatory was flooded again. The Captain called Maintenance and they showed up to check on the lavatory. They discovered that the toilet was leaking from the bottom and the lavatory was placarded. At this point I asked the Captain if there was anything he could do to get another aircraft once we get to [our destination] since the smell was not going to clear and it was obvious were the source of the smell was coming from. This lavatory had been leaking every time a passenger used it. On top of that this aircraft sat on the hangar for 2 days. We gathered in the First Class Cabin and Captain said he was going to call to get a different aircraft once we land. He asked the Senior Flight Service Manager to make the call and the Senior Flight Service Manager informed him that he did not had the authority to do it. The Captain called ahead and he informed me once again that we were going to get another plane. We boarded the flight and immediately we got a complaint from passenger sitting in 6F. The odor continued until we were met by the agent who happened to be at our gatethis morning and noticed the strong odor; she was working flight back. As soon as she opened the door she noticed that the smell had not cleared. The aircraft door opened and the Captain left the aircraft and informed me 'We are keeping the aircraft.' I immediately called Flight Service and asked to speak to a Flight Service Manager who showed up and I explained to him that I was not feeling safe flying this plane around the system. At this point I deemed that it was a risk for my health and I proceeded to get off the flight. I called my Flight Service Manager and informed her of the situation. I also informed her that I was going to get off the flight at this point since my health was being put at risk. By the time we got back to our original departure airport the lavatory was flooded again even though the mechanics in the last station had closed the water shut off valve. I took pictures of the forward. Entry area as well as the flooded lavatory and they can be submitted upon request. Broken toilet that was only discovered [when] we arrived in [our destination] and I insisted in getting the lavatory check. At this point after the aircraft was flown to [our destination] [when] they discover that the aircraft had the forward lavatory leaking from the bottom. Every time a passenger used it was leaking into the cabin. The lavatory was flooded as well inflight. Aircraft sat at the hangar for days and no one noticed the strong odor until the aircraft was put in service that the agents and cabin crew started complaining about the terrible odor in the cabin that reached the Jet Bridge Door all the way to the gate entrance. Accountability is a must.




Synopsis: A B737-800 Flight Attendant reported that an aircraft had a flooded forward lavatory which had a strong; unsafe odor but after maintenance did not fix the problem the aircraft continued in revenue service with the odor.