B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 12510
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Environment - Non Weather Related
Flight took off Runway 17; during night VMC conditions. During LNAV turn to east; after flaps up; between 2;000-3;000 feet MSL; extremely loud bang heard in cockpit; from right side and below First Officer (FO) seat. Initial action was a check of all instruments with no abnormalities noted. A few moments later a foul acrid smell (no smoke) was detected with confirmation of same odor in cabin. Probable bird strike(s); and return immediately to [departure airport was made] with possibility of smoke and or fire aboard. Single frequency approach made with vectors for a visual to Runway 17 with ILS back up; flaps 30; auto brakes set at 2. Aircraft handled normally throughout approach and landing. No abnormal or warning lights illuminated at any time. Landing weight was 143.5K. ARFF inspected aircraft on runway and noted no fire; smoke or other conditions precluding normal taxi to gate. Flaps were kept at 30 until engine shutdown. ARFF followed aircraft to gate. Post flight inspection revealed at least five separate bird strikes on aircraft. Bird debris (suspect birds were Canadian Geese) located on right side pitot static area below FO right window; right nose gear door; left wing root and inboard slat and engine cowl; number one engine compressor with fan blade damage; and left wing outboard trailing edge flap actuator fairing. I debriefed with Fire Chief and maintenance. This is the end of the narrative.
[Report narrative contained no additional information].
B737-800 flight crew reported during departure they noticed a smoky odor after a bird strike. The flight returned to departure airport. After landing; damage to #1 engine fan blade was found.