B757-200
Flight Attendant Current
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Flight Crew Inflight Shutdown; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft; Company Policy
Right after takeoff I heard a loud bang coming from somewhere in the back of the cabin. I immediately called the flight deck to advise them. I was told by the Captain they were aware of it and we were going back. I asked if landing would be normal and was told yes. I did ask again just to make sure and once again was told normal landing. I informed the rest of the crew of what I was told and advised my crew to be vigilant. A few call lights went on and since we had been told prior to departure to remain seated because of possible turbulence we did not get up. Flight Attendant Trainer got on the PA and told passengers that if it was an emergency to ring again. Call light went on several times. I went to investigate and when I got towards the middle of the cabin a passenger pointed out the window and I observed what appeared to be flames and sparks coming from the back of the left engine. I thanked the passenger and told him that we were aware of the situation and the pilots were taking care of it. I walked back to the front and advised the 2 flight attendants sitting at door 2 and immediately called the flight deck and relayed that I saw flames and sparks coming aft of the left engine. I was told that we had approximately 15 minutes to landing and I again asked if landing would be normal and was told yes. I also asked the Captain if he would make an announcement or should I. I was told to do so which is when I told the passengers that we had a situation and we were returning and to please remain seated with seat-belts fastened. I then started to smell smoke and called the other flight attendants to verify and was told that they also smelled it but it was not in the cabin. I called flight deck again and informed them of the smell and confirmed there was no smoke in cabin and once again asked about landing and was told normal. The Captain then made an announcement and told the passengers what was happening and told them they shut down the left engine and to remain calm. I received another call from flight deck to advise me that emergency vehicles would be meeting the plane and not to be alarmed and that we had about a minute and a half before touchdown. I asked one last time if landing was going to be normal and was told yes. We landed safely and taxied to gate where we all deplaned safely. I just want to take a minute to express my gratitude to both pilots for being so clear and concise in their directives and explanations. I felt safe and confident in their abilities and thank them from my heart for the excellent communication skills. My only concern in this whole incident is my inability to find the proper tools to do my job accurately according to the training I've received in the past. During the brief time of our take off and landing I was looking for my prep list for an evacuation and I knew it was located in my announcement booklet which I'm required to carry with me at all times and as the purser its always within arms reach. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the book and did not find it. I was surprised and for a brief moment panicked because I would not know what to say if the Captain; 5 minutes before landing had told me to prepare the cabin. I did get up from my jumpseat because I felt it was safe enough and went to look for my old French announcement booklet which still has the prep instructions in the back of it. Once I had that in hand I felt more confident that I would be able to prepare the cabin in short amount of time should it be necessary. I would like an answer and guidance on how I should operate should a situation like that ever arise again. My handbook was in the closet behind me which is my approved storage area but its too big and bulky to be anywhere near me and I am not allowed to have anything in the jumpseat. I felt that I was not given the adequate tools to do my job according to the training I've received the past 18 years in case I had to prepare the cabin from my jumpseat.
B757 Flight Attendant in charge reports an engine failure on takeoff and the interactions with the flight crew during the return. She was alarmed to discover that the checklist for an emergency landing was no longer part of the announcement booklet and thus not easily accessible.