B737 flight crew reported a bird strike below 1;000 feet on departure which caused a momentary compr...

Attributes
ACN	1394633
Time
Date	201610
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Turbine Engine
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Captain
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200 Flight Crew Total 20000 Flight Crew Type 1500
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 143 Flight Crew Total 15750 Flight Crew Type 2500
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal

Narrative:

Approximately 500 feet (after gear retraction but prior to flap retraction) jolt/yaw accompanied by bang similar to those experienced in simulator (associated with severe damage). I was hand flying (and focused on that) and by the time I looked at the engine instruments; all appeared normal. At the same time a strong burning smell was experienced. We quickly decided to return and not continue. We communicated with departure and stated our intentions. A few minutes after the odor started; it began to dissipate. ATC gave us a heading and assigned 9000 as an altitude. I engaged the autopilot (after the first officer reminded me it was available). The first officer ran the after takeoff checklist as well as set up the box for the return. I called the flight attendants and informed them of our situation. They informed me that they saw torching in the left engine when the bang occurred. The first officer and I concluded that we most likely ingested a bird into the left engine and that the engine had a compressor stall. I sent a message to dispatch informing them of our condition and intent to return. Dispatch requested the emergency equipment for us. The first officer and I discussed our landing overweight; and continued back for an uneventful landing (overweight).

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: B737 flight crew reported a bird strike below 1;000 feet on departure which caused a momentary compressor stall before resuming normal operation. Flight returns to the departure airport for an overweight landing.

Narrative: Approximately 500 feet (after gear retraction but prior to flap retraction) jolt/yaw accompanied by bang similar to those experienced in simulator (associated with severe damage). I was hand flying (and focused on that) and by the time I looked at the engine instruments; all appeared normal. At the same time a strong burning smell was experienced. We quickly decided to return and not continue. We communicated with departure and stated our intentions. A few minutes after the odor started; it began to dissipate. ATC gave us a heading and assigned 9000 as an altitude. I engaged the autopilot (after the FO reminded me it was available). The FO ran the after takeoff checklist as well as set up the box for the return. I called the flight attendants and informed them of our situation. They informed me that they saw torching in the left engine when the bang occurred. The FO and I concluded that we most likely ingested a bird into the left engine and that the engine had a compressor stall. I sent a message to dispatch informing them of our condition and intent to return. Dispatch requested the emergency equipment for us. The FO and I discussed our landing overweight; and continued back for an uneventful landing (overweight).

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.