B737-800
Flight Attendant Current
Other / Unknown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Human Factors
I assisted agent in closing aircraft door. [I] pushed down on door handle and after 2nd attempt; it locked into place. Door was then properly armed. Upon take off roll; I could see light coming from back of door and extreme air noise. I could see door was not completely closed. Upon rotation I attempted to call cockpit but when they answered they could not hear what I was saying due to the extreme wind noise. We continued to climb and I then had the Number 3 Flight Attendant go to the back of the aircraft to phone the Captain and let him know what was happening. Due to weight of fuel we had to circle for nearly an hour before being able to land. Landed and went to gate. Maintenance came and opened door and after several attempts we able replicate the door not closing completely on the side of the frame of the door towards the rear of the aircraft. Flight attendant should not assist agent close door.
B737 Flight Attendant discovers during takeoff the the forward entry door has not been properly latched due visible light and extreme wind noise. Flight returns to departure airport.