Flight crew reported bird strike resulted in critical equipment problem and return to departure airport. Crew also reported the runway is next to the river; wildlife mitigation needs to improve.
Synopsis
Flight crew reported bird strike resulted in critical equipment problem and return to departure airport. Crew also reported the runway is next to the river; wildlife mitigation needs to improve.
Narrative
After rotation on Runway 31 in MDT; 2 birds (golden eagles) struck our aircraft. We felt a loud thud and later saw evidence of the bird remains in our #2 engine. The FA (Flight Attendant) called us around 500-1000ft and said she smelled burning. I immediately shut off specific systems. We felt the airplane yaw to the right and the right wing drop slightly; which we immediately corrected. The engine slightly surged but remained running. Tower asked us to turn to a 340 degree heading and contact Departure. I declined and stated we were staying with them and flying runway heading. Soon after I told the Tower we're turning left downwind and coming back to the field after we run checklists and assess our systems. I asked them to roll the trucks. We made all required notifications to FA; passengers; Dispatch; and MDT Ops. Then ran our checklists; setup for the approach; circled back; and landed uneventfully. We taxied off the runway; set the brake; asked passengers to remain seated; and asked ARFF (Airport Rescue and Firefighting) to check out the plane carefully and follow us back to the gate.
Second reporter narrative
Assumed bird strike on takeoff. Just before the positive rate call out; we heard a large thud. No loss of thrust was observed; only a very slight yaw to the right. We expected a possible a bird strike on the nose gear. Around 1500 feet the Flight Attendant called with a report of a burning smell; later dissipating about 3-4 minutes later. This was the last confirmation that was needed to return to the field. We climbed to 3000 feet; performed all checklist while discussing the event. We determined that we were a normal aircraft and requesting priority handling was not needed. We returned to the field where ARFF (Airport Rescue and Firefighting) inspected us before returning to the gate. This is where a bird strike was confirmed and noted that the bird was ingested through E2 (Engine #2).
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.