Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 245; Flight Crew Total 14700; Flight Crew Type 850
Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; General Maintenance Action
Environment - Non Weather Related
On takeoff from Runway 25R at LAX; at approximately 200 to 300 feet; the crew saw a bird pass 'under the nose.' Both Captain and First Officer saw the bird. I did not as I was scanning engine instruments and sitting on center jumpseat. Both pilots said it appeared to be a small bird and it passed to the right of centerline and below the fuselage. The First Officer quickly told tower of the possible bird strike and I rescanned all engine instruments noting no abnormalities. We continued the climb out and were notified by LA center about 10 min later that indeed we had hit a bird which was found. This started a discussion about where it hit and both Captain and First Officer thought that because of where they both saw the bird it must have hit the Right MLG; gear doors; or underbelly of wing root area. Again all systems were normal. Captain sent a message to Maintenance Control in flight of the bird strike incident. We were all very surprised to see the damage to the right engine cowl upon landing. A logbook entry was made describing the damage and we departed to the hotel.
On initial climb off Runway 25R in LAX; saw bird heading towards our aircraft. Reported to ATC to advise other aircraft. We believed we had missed the bird. At cruise center advised that LAX field ops had recovered a hawk that they believe had struck our aircraft. There was no evidence of damage and all systems normal. Maintenance and Dispatch notified. Continued without incident to destination with all crew; dispatch and Maintenance in concurrence... Small dent on Right Hand Engine nacelle lip spotted on post flight inspection and aircraft was handed over to Maintenance.
Air carrier flight crew notes a bird pass under their aircraft as they climb off Runway 25R at LAX. The flight continues to destination after ATC informs them that a hawk was found on the runway but no anomalies were detected aboard the aircraft. Post flight reveals a dent in the right engine cowling.