B747-400
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 240; Flight Crew Total 13000; Flight Crew Type 2000
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related
Completing gear retraction a loud 'growling' noise started on left side of aircraft. Engine vibration N2 5.0 was only indication of an abnormal situation. A few minutes after takeoff there were three jolts with no indications from the engines; a call from flight attendants alerted us to smoke coming from engine number one with each of the jolts. Once ATC was notified; Dispatch/Maintenance consulted and checklists completed. We dumped fuel to maximum landing weight and returned to [departure airport]. Notified on ground of bird strike; crew debriefed and critiqued.
A B747-400 Relief Pilot reported experiencing high vibration and loud noise from #1 engine after takeoff. They returned to departure airport where they were advised they had struck a bird.