B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Environment - Non Weather Related
We had just gotten airborne off of runway XYL at ZZZ. We were climbing to 400 feet to begin our assigned turn to the south. As we were preparing to turn we saw a flock of birds approaching our track. We called out the birds and were initiating the turn when we heard several impacts; and the number 2 engine rolled back slightly and redlined. I rolled out and decreased climb rate to speed up and raise the flaps. First Officer (FO) moved heading indicator and verbalized for me to come back to the right to get back on the extended runway centerline. FO notified ATC of engine failure and informed them of our intention to climb out on runway heading. After cleanup; I requested 4000 feet for altitude while we ran checklists. Because of the number 2 engine temperature and popping and banging; FO suggested Engine Fire or Engine Severe Damage checklists; and I agreed. During this period; ATC advised us that people have witnessed flames from the number 2 engine. Checklist was accomplished. We took vectors while we completed it. I also put on the autopilot at some point during this time. I was delayed doing this because initially I had put in incorrect rudder trim. When I looked down and saw what I had done I corrected it and was able to have the aircraft trimmed properly to use the autopilot. We took vectors [and] I turned over the aircraft to the FO so I could brief the approach; talk to the flight attendants and passengers; and advise dispatch. The flight attendants had tried to call several times during the event; but we had ignored those calls to handle the problem. After everyone was informed; we finished up the items for one engine approach and landing. Uneventful single engine approach to runway XXR was flown. We cleared the runway at taxiway T. Fire department looked us over and took some temperature readings. Everything looked okay so we taxied to the gate where many people were waiting for us.
We were cleared for takeoff with a tower assigned heading of 180. At approximately 300-400 AGL a flock of Canadian geese flew in front of us. I saw the birds go under the right side of the aircraft. At that point we ingested an unknown numbers of birds. The number 2 engine then had high vibration and popping noises. There was still high N1 rotation but EGT temperature rising rapidly to the overheat position. We then determined we had an engine failure and I pulled out the QRH. At 400 feet I bugged the captain to the runway centerline. I then told the tower we had an engine failure; we were going to take it out runway heading and we would like to run a checklist and get back to them. We cleaned the aircraft up on schedule and set max continuous thrust (The aircraft was is VNAV and did not automatic accelerate to clean maneuvering; I had to select level change and manually bug Vcl). I pulled out the QRH and at that time they advised us that we had flames shooting out the back of the engine. Simultaneously the flight attendants were trying to calls us. Tower handed us off to departure. Departure vectored us back around for an approach. With the aircraft stable I was able to call back to the Flight Attendants (FA) and advise them we had an engine failure; it was under control and we would be back to them soon. The captain flew and talked to ATC and I ran the Engine severe damage checklist. Once I was done with the checklist the captain engaged the autopilot and handed the aircraft over to me. I flew and talked to ATC while he talked to the FAs; passengers; and dispatch. He then briefed me for and approach to runway XXR. After the brief was completed; I handed the plane back over to him and I completed the one engine inoperative checklist. Approach vectored us for runway XXR and we landed without issue. We cleared the runway and stopped so Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting could examine the general aircraft condition. After they stated they could see no abnormal heat signatures they followed us to [the] gate.
B737 flight crew reported an engine failure on takeoff due to a bird strike. After the crew accomplished checklist items; a successful single engine approach and landing was made.