B737-700 Captain reported encountering wake turbulence climbing through FL321 in trail of a B747.

Date: 2022-06 · Aircraft: B737-700 · Phase: climb

Anomalies: inflight-event-encounter-loss-of-aircraft-control|inflight-event-encounter-wake-vortex-encounter

Synopsis

B737-700 Captain reported encountering wake turbulence climbing through FL321 in trail of a B747.

Narrative

Climbing out of BUR; we were step climbing with a 747. ATC had us at 250 knots; until the 747 had about 10 miles on us. The ride was smooth in the climb and we were given a climb to FL 360. Climbing out of FL 321; we hit the 747's wake turbulence. The aircraft pitched up and made a hard right turn. The First Officer did a fantastic job of controlling the aircraft and disengaged the autothrottles and autopilot and returned the aircraft to straight and level flight. I made a call to ATC and requested to descend to FL320. I then called the Flight Attendants to check on them. I was told that two of them were in the aisle doing their service and one was in the forward galley. The two that were out; reported that they were airborne but felt ok. I sent Dispatch a message about the turbulence and to have Maintenance notified. About five to seven minutes later; I called again to make sure everyone was still ok. They told me we had a lady who had a pacemaker complaining that her pacemaker was sore. We were about 70 miles from ZZZ; so I decided to ask for special handling. We were given straight to the field and landed uneventfully. We requested medical meet the aircraft; with both Dispatch and ATC. EMT met the aircraft and attended to the lady. No other passengers mentioned anything about injuries while deplaning. At the gate; I called Dispatch and spoke with Dispatch; Maintenance; Supervisor on Duty; and a Company Operations Center Chief Pilot. The First Officer and I agreed we were ok to continue to ZZZ1 for the overnight. While en route to ZZZ1; one of the Flight Attendants came to the cockpit and asked us to send Dispatch a message about the three of them being pulled for the next day. We talked to the chief at the Company Operations Center and were given the opportunity to continue or not. On this event; we agreed to continue; but I'm not sure the Flight Attendants should have continued. I asked them numerous times and they all said they were fine; but I think once the adrenaline settled down; they regretted flying. I know every event is different and unique but why give the crew the option? You can read about wake turbulence but until you experience it like our event; you really do not have any idea what to expect. The aircraft was 10 miles ahead with a cross wind but we were hit hard from it. The First Officers training definitely kicked in and he performed the aircraft upset well.

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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.