Incident Overview
On December 30, 2016, a Boeing 737-800 operated by Enter Air experienced a bird strike shortly after takeoff from Warsaw Chopin Airport (EPWA). The event occurred at a barometric altitude of 302 feet after the aircraft had passed Runway 11. The bird strike resulted in strong vibrations in the right engine, which the crew reported at 09:12 UTC.
Crew Actions
Following the bird strike, the crew performed the procedures outlined in the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) for such an event. They reduced engine thrust, which mitigated the vibration level. The crew decided to return to the departure airport and informed air traffic control (ATC) of their situation. ATC directed the aircraft to hold at waypoint IPSIM at an altitude of 6,000 feet to burn off fuel in order to achieve a landing weight suitable for a safe landing.
Landing and Damage Assessment
After reducing the aircraft's weight, the crew executed a normal landing at 11:22 UTC, reporting no emergency situation. Post-flight inspection revealed damage to two fan blades and the acoustic panel of the right engine. A falconer inspected the airport's maneuvering area but did not find any bird remains, as the strike occurred off airport property.
Preventive Measures
The aircraft operator recorded the event in its SMS database and assessed the hazard risk, assigning an index of 64, categorized as HIGH RISK. The airport management implemented several preventive measures, including intensified inspections of the maneuvering area due to increased bird activity, checks for pigeon breeding grounds in the airport vicinity, adjustments to the stationary bird deterrent system (BigGard), regular inspections of the airport perimeter and fence integrity, and culling of animals posing a threat to aviation safety.
Cause
The incident was attributed to the presence of a bird on the aircraft's flight path in the vicinity of the airport.