B737-700
Physiological - Other
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Gate; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
Walked onboard and smelled a bad pungent smell. Boarded and pushed back aircraft. Smell was still predominant especially in the back of the aircraft. Flight attendants in the back called me and said that they wanted to return to gate due to the very strong odor. Also passengers in the back of the aircraft were ringing call lights due to odor. I felt light headed and my nose and throat were burning. Could taste it in my mouth. Returned to gate due to the air quality issue. Mechanics grounded the aircraft and gave us a new aircraft four hours later. Ever since the incident I have suffered from headaches and extreme fatigue leading me to call in sick for a trip on [date] and I am still experiencing headaches and fatigue.
B737-700 flight attendants reported strong pungent odor in passenger cabin. Multiple passenger complained regarding the strong odor. Aircraft executed an uneventful ground gate return.