A319 flight crew reports hitting geese at 2000 feet during climb; severely damaging the right engine. An emergency is declared and the flight returns to departure airport.
Synopsis
A319 flight crew reports hitting geese at 2000 feet during climb; severely damaging the right engine. An emergency is declared and the flight returns to departure airport.
Narrative
After takeoff with Toga power; at around 2000 feet; we encountered a large flock of what appeared to be Canadian geese. The aircraft sustained multiple hits; after which it began vibrating. First Officer brought the nose down and after 30 or so seconds we determined the right engine had sustained damage. The left engine was operating normally. I contacted the Tower and informed them we had hit birds and needed to return and land immediately. We were cleared to return to the airport and land. I contacted the Lead Flight Attendant and informed her we were returning to land; aircraft was under control and for them to remain seated. We then declared an emergency and proceeded to make an uneventful landing. Right engine never failed; however much above idle power it would begin to vibrate. Engine was shut down after landing while taxiing in to the gate. Upon further investigation we found severe damage to the right engine fan blades; with obvious bird feathers and blood in the fan blades and engine cowling. There were also blood stains in the fuselage and the flap fairing beside and behind the right engine. The aircraft never gave us any warnings after the bird hits; (no ECAM); other than an engine vibration monitor light on and off as engine power increased beyond a certain threshold. We elected to keep it running and make an immediate landing. There were large flocks of geese flying at fairly high altitudes above the airport as we were sitting at the gate; and we commented on the fact it appeared the spring migration north was in full swing. Little did we know we would become fast friends with them shortly after. Time from block out to block in was 20 minutes; and we estimated flying time to around 8 minutes. Landing weight was very close to max landing weight.
Second reporter narrative
During initial climb out with VMC weather conditions we encountered a flock of what appeared to be geese at approximately 2000 feet MSL. An unknown number of which struck the aircraft causing damage to the right engine. There were two compressor stalls from the right engine followed by a recovery of the engine but with high vibration as indicated on the vibration meter. There where no ECAM warnings or alerts other then the high vibration indication. The Captain declared an emergency and instructed me to return to the field for a precautionary landing. Departure control acknowledged and instructed us for a right downwind; and handed us back to tower. VFR pattern flow and landed without incidence.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.