Event Summary
The aircraft pushed back from the gate and taxied to runway 18L. During taxi, the crew did not hear any mention of a bird hazard from other aircraft or air traffic control. The takeoff roll was normal until reaching approximately 150 knots, when a flock of birds moving from left to right passed in front of the airplane.
Bird Strike Details
The captain alerted the first officer to the hazard and instructed him to climb over the flock. The first officer increased pitch angle, but the aircraft still penetrated the bird flock. At the time of penetration, the nose wheel was airborne and the main landing gear was just lifting off.
Engine Performance
Immediately after the strike, the left engine's N1 dropped from 81.88 percent to 56.00 percent, while the right engine's N1 dropped from 81.25 to 71.63 percent. Throttle positions remained constant on both engines. The aircraft returned to the airport without further incident.
Bird Strike Statistics
The bird roost involved was not identified. No airport procedures that contributed to the accident were observed. According to data, starlings comprised 5 percent of all damaging animal strikes to U.S. aircraft from 1993 to 1995.