Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Training / Qualification; Troubleshooting; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal
Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Environment - Non Weather Related
First Officer was pilot flying; I was pilot not flying. On takeoff roll; a large Hawk type bird flew from left to right in front of aircraft. We were at 145 KIAS. I heard a thump on the right side of the aircraft. I called V-1; rotate at 152 KIAS. Rotation was at 157 KIAS. Once airborne; a loud buzzing noise was heard and substantial vibration on airframe. The First Officer stated that the aircraft felt sluggish. We climbed to FL055; notified Tower of possible air return. We proceeded to the NDB via RNAV and held until all issues were taken care of and checklists were accomplished. Emergency was declared. Visual approach with ILS backup was flown by First Officer to an uneventful landing with flaps 30 degrees and autobrakes 3. Landing weight was 167;000 LBS. Taxied in to gate followed by the fire crews in case of brake fire. Normal deplaning of aircraft occurred at gate; on inspection #2 engine had substantial fan blade damage and damage to cowling floor behind the fan.
A B737-800's right engine ingested a bird on takeoff which caused substantial fan blade and cowling floor damage so an emergency was declared and the flight returned to the airport. Recent farming activity near the airport attracted birds.