Incident: Air Canada A320 at Los Angeles on Mar 15th 2011, bird strike

An Air Canada Airbus A320-200, registration C-FDST performing flight AC-790 from Los Angeles,CA (USA) to Toronto,ON (Canada) with 146 people on board, was climbing through 400 feet AGL out of Los Angeles' runway 24L in instrument meteorological conditions (low visibility procedures were in effect at LAX) when the left hand engine (CFM56) surged repeatedly in rapid succession accompanied by compressor stalls. The engine rolled back to about 80% N1 with substantial yawing of the aircraft. The engine automatically recovered about 3-5 seconds later with no ECAM warning, an acrid odour developed in the cabin. Due to the weather conditions the crew decided to divert to Ontario,CA (USA), both engines appeared to be operating normally with no unusual vibration. The aircraft landed safely in Ontario about 30 minutes after departure, stopped on the runway and shut both engines down. After inspection by emergency services the right hand engine was started and the aircraft taxied to the apron.

The Canadian TSB reported a visual inspection revealed evidence of a bird strike in the #1 engine fan cone and showed damage to the guide vanes aft of the N1 fan. Bird remains were on the engine cowling and several engine components. A borescopic inspection showed damage to the low and high pressure compressors. The engine was replaced.

Source: The Aviation Herald (http://avherald.com/h?article=439dadfd&opt=512)