Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor; Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft
At rotation on takeoff we had a surge on left engine with a loud bang. The EPR (Engine Pressure Ratio) dropped to approx. 1.60 then returned to normal with a brief MC (Master Caution) light. All 3 FAs called and said 'we have a real bad odor with smoke' We then [advised ATC] and returned to [the departure airport]. Also a deadheading pilot told a FA that we might have a blown tire. We really didn't know what we had. The tower had had the runway checked for debris. It was clean. After landing the aircraft was checked out then we taxied to gate. It was an overweight landing 140;000 lbs. The post flight walk around showed signs of bird remains in left engine. FAs did a great job and the passengers seemed to be in good spirits.
MD80 pilot reported a bird strike on rotation that led to engine surges; odor; and smoke in the cabin.