Regional Jet 200 ER/LR (CRJ200)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Situational Awareness
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Environment - Non Weather Related
While climbing through 10;000 feet we heard a very loud bang and then we smelled smoke on the flight deck. As we were investigating; the forward F/A [Flight Attendant] called and said that there was smoke in the cabin. We donned oxygen masks; [notified ATC] and asked to return to ZZZ. We began smoke removal checklist. Before descending below 10;000 feet the smoke had dissipated so we discontinued the smoke removal checklist. The cabin crew said the cabin smoke had also dissipated. We landed on XXR at ZZZ without incident and stopped on the runway. We asked emergency crews to inspect aircraft and advise. They said they could see no damage; smoke or fire. We canceled the emergency and taxied to the gate. Identification: We had no idea what the loud bang was. At first; we though a battery or nose gear tire had exploded. It was loud. We did not know it was a bird strike and ingestion until after post flight. Cause: Bird strike and ingestion. On post flight inspection we found a large dent and blood on the left inboard wing in line with the left engine.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
CRJ-200 flight crew reported large bird strike on left wing producing smoke/fumes in the flight deck and cabin that dissipated quickly. Flight crew executed an uneventful return to departure airport.