B737-700
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 193; Flight Crew Type 338
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; General Declared Emergency
Environment - Non Weather Related; Aircraft
We were being vectored on downwind for the runway. We were at 2000 FT MSL and waiting for our base turn vector. I saw a very quick flash of what appeared to be a flock of birds off the right side of the aircraft. We immediately heard and felt multiple impacts coming from the right side of the plane. Moments later we heard several other sounds that were similar to the previous impacts. We notified ATC that we had experienced a bird strike and needed a turn into the field. While in the right turn to base; the right engine began to fluctuate and lose partial thrust. We then began a turn towards the runway. We also requested CFR be dispatched. We assumed the engine was experiencing a compressor stall since the fluctuations ceased after about five to seven seconds. At that point the right engine was operating normally with no unusual indications. We left both engines running and executed a flaps 15 landing. We decided on a flaps 15 landing since we were unsure of right engine's condition.The landing was normal and there were no other issues with the flight. After landing and stopping the aircraft on the runway; we shut down the right engine. CFR examined the aircraft and reported multiple impacts on the right side but no immediate threats at that point. We taxied to the gate and Passengers deplaned normally. After the flight; we learned that the right engine had been exhausting flames during the compressor stall. There were no reported injuries or other issues with this flight.
A B737-700 being vectored for a visual approach suffered multiple bird strikes which resulted in right engine compressor stall; partial loss of thrust and exhaust flames visible to those in the passenger cabin. The engine soon resumed apparently to normal operation but the flight crew returned to departure airport and landed with 15 degrees of flap as a precaution against possible engine failure.