Incident Overview
During flight at an altitude of approximately 1,500 feet above the ground, the aircraft encountered a flock of about 30 geese. The crew reported hearing three to four thuds, after which the right engine immediately began running roughly. In response, the captain declared an emergency and initiated a return to the departure airport.
Damage Examination
A post-flight inspection of the aircraft revealed damage to the right engine fan and dents along both leading edge wing slats. The damage was consistent with a bird strike event involving multiple birds.
Bird Advisory
Approximately one hour before the incident, the airport's Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) had issued a bird advisory, indicating the presence of birds in the vicinity. The crew did not report any prior awareness of the advisory affecting their flight path.