A321
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Troubleshooting
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action; General Work Refused
Aircraft
Due to dirty musty odor Captain decided to refuse airplane. Entry made. Unknown heavy odor throughout the Aircraft Cabin. Since unsure if odor was toxic; Captain decided to refuse airplane.
During preflight duties working a flight from ZZZ to ZZ1 I noticed a distinct smell when walking into the flight deck. My Captain walked in behind me and noticed the same smell. At first we thought nothing of it and we continued with the preflight. I put my bags away and started preflighting the Flight Deck. While my Captain completed the exterior walk around. As we continued the preflight duties the smell did not dissipate. My Captain walked in from the preflight and noticed the smell was not gone. Our flight attendants noticed the same smell. We tried to turn off the APU bleed air and wait for the smell to dissipate. There was no change. The entire crew was concerned with our health and the Captain decided to remove the entire crew from the aircraft. The aircraft was refused for flight and an entry was made. A new aircraft was assigned. Unknown cause at this time. I am unaware of the causes of these events and this was my first occurrence. The smell was possibly comparable to a dirt sock or musty odor.
A321 flight crew reported a fume event during preflight while parked at Gate. After trouble shooting with no change the Captain refused the aircraft; a logbook entry was submitted. A different aircraft was assigned.