An E-3 went down after takeoff at Elemendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska killing all on board. Very sad. They hit a lot of Canadian Geese at rotation. In the post-accident pictures of the runway it was covered with dead birds.
In my personal experience there has been two times I have had serious aircraft damage from bird strikes.
1. Jet Commander, back in the mid-70's landing at KTEB (Teterboro N.J.), I took a seagull in the left flap. Had to replace the flap due to the damage.
2. Boeing 727, a couple of years ago on takeoff from KLWB (Lewisburg W.V.), I hit some type of bird just after rotation, didn't know it at the the time. After landing at KMDT (Harrisburg PA.) we had trouble retracting the leading edge devices.
When we got out and looked at the right wing we could see where a bird had hit right where the #5 and #6 leading edge slats join. Had to replace both slats and some of the tracks works. Took two days.
I have a few more bird strikes, but except of the mess, no damage. (knock on wood)
[This message has been edited by con-pilot (edited 20 December 2000).]
[This message has been edited by con-pilot (edited 20 December 2000).]