A B767-300 ingested a bird at V1. An emergency was declared and the aircraft return to land when airframe vibrations were felt through out the aircraft. Damage to at least two fan blades was discovered.

Narrative

During the take off roll at V1 flight departing; ingested a bird in the left engine. Shortly after rotation; we noticed a slight vibration coming from the left engine; which remained steady until starting our descent for our return back to the field. Other than a higher than normal vibration indication (5.0) for the left engine FAN; all other indications for the left and right engines were in the normal ranges and remained that way throughout the approach and landing. With this noticeable vibration and indication in the cockpit and suspecting a bird strike to the left engine; we elected to declare an emergency and return to departure airport. I communicated with the #1 Flight Attendant and explained to her that we would be returning to the airport because of the suspected bird strike and that we would be making a normal landing with no planned evacuation. At that time; she confirmed that a noticeable vibration was being felt throughout the aircraft. I followed that conversation with a PA telling the passengers of our situation and that we would be landing soon. At that time; I called for the flight attendants to prepare for landing. I then notified Operations of our situation and that we were returning and to have maintenance on standby to meet the aircraft. Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting was requested for our landing; and the aircraft was cleared for the VOR ILS. The aircraft landing was uneventful and landed below maximum landing weight. Actual weight for landing was 308.5. The aircraft made a soft landing with autobrakes set at 3. The parking brake was not set until approximately 30 minutes after landing as a precaution due to possible hot brakes. Following a normal landing and taxi to the gate; Fire Department and Station Personnel met us. Upon initial inspection of the left engine with Station Maintenance; it was discovered that at a minimum; two fan blades on the left engine were significantly damaged requiring the aircraft be taken out of service. The successful outcome to this event could not have been possible without the professionalism of all crewmembers onboard. Of particular note was a job well done by the number #1 Flight Attendant and Co-pilot. Maintenance needs a dedicated digital camera for Maintenance personnel to use to take actual photos of damage to aircraft to be sent for better assessment of aircraft status by Maintenance Control.