CRJ-900 flight crew reported encountering wake turbulence departing ATL in trail of an A321.
Synopsis
CRJ-900 flight crew reported encountering wake turbulence departing ATL in trail of an A321.
Narrative
We departed behind an A321 from RWY 8R in ATL. There was an evening rush of planes to depart. With minimum spacing the Controller gave us a take-off clearance without a 'caution wake turbulence' after the departing A321. The autopilot was engaged around 600 feet AGL and [we had] begun the acceleration phase at 1;000 ft AGL when the encounter occurred. As we were passing through 180 knots; we experienced an uncommanded rolling motion. I disconnected the autopilot and begun to hand fly the departure and acceleration. During the encounter I had to use full right aileron deflection to maintain wings level. I commanded the autopilot to be reengaged after recovery. About 20-30 seconds after the autopilot was reengaged; the aircraft began to roll violently again and I disconnected the autopilot once more to hand fly out of the wake turbulence with adequate aileron input. Autopilot was reengaged again around 3500 feet after the second recovery. Flight path on the CUTTN2 RNAV departure was maintained all while encountering the wake turbulence. After the event; the First Officer checked in with the flight attendants to make sure there were no injuries in the cabin. The flight attendants had nothing to report. We continued with no further issues.Lack of separation behind an A321 and awareness of wake turbulence encounters of similar sized aircraft during an RNAV departure.A review of A321 and similar sized aircraft wake turbulence specifications and separation minima. Training of encountering wake turbulence during the takeoff during recurrent simulators.
Second reporter narrative
We experienced two occurrences of wake turbulence taking off from [Runway] 8R at ATL departing on the CUTTN 2 departure. The proceeding aircraft was an A321. ATC didn't issue any wake turbulence advisories. The Captain was pilot flying. We completed the standard takeoff profile. At 1;000 feet AGL during the flaps retraction and acceleration point; we experienced the first encounter of wake turbulence. This encounter came with a rolling motion and a 20-degree roll to the left. The Captain disconnected the autopilot and applied appropriate inputs. This includes a full right deflection of the aileron to keep the aircraft wings level. After recovery; the autopilot was engaged again. The second encounter occurred 30 seconds later; which resulted in the CA disconnecting the autopilot and applying appropriate aileron deflection to keep the wings level. This second encounter occurred around 3;000 feet MSL. Once reaching 10;000ft and workload permitted; I checked in with the flight attendants to ensure no injuries had occurred. They reported none. The lack of spacing behind the A321 aircraft and awareness of wake turbulence encounters behind such aircraft in close proximity RNAV departure procedures. A review of A321 and similar sized aircraft wake turbulence. Training on encountering wake turbulence during takeoff in the simulator; not just arrivals; and landing.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.