Air Carrier B737-800 flight crew reported encountering wake turbulence departing ORD in trail of a heavy jet that resulted in a bank angle approaching 60 degrees.

Date: 2022-10 · Aircraft: B737-800 · Phase: initial_climb

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

Synopsis

Air Carrier B737-800 flight crew reported encountering wake turbulence departing ORD in trail of a heavy jet that resulted in a bank angle approaching 60 degrees.

Narrative

While taxiing out; we received a runway change. While we were completing the runway change procedures; ATC advised us to taxi full length due to a heavy taking off in front of us. I proceeded to taxi slowly to ensure my FO (First Officer) had time to complete the runway change; and for me to be able to monitor the changes. This also allowed us to get more than minimum separation from the heavy. We were cleared for take-off with a left turn to heading 320. While in the turn to 320; the aircraft started to roll more then I commanded. We recognized this as wake turbulence. I applied aileron to stop the roll; but it continued even as I applied full opposite aileron input. The aural warning 'Bank Angle; Bank Angle' started enunciating; but the roll continued. My best guess is that it stopped around 60 degrees of bank. Once the control of the aircraft was established; I called the Flight Attendants to check on them and the passengers and they said everything was okay. We then tried to call Dispatch; but the app wouldn't work. We then tried commercial radio. Once established; we patched through to Maintenance and after visiting with them; we decided to continue to ZZZ.

Second reporter narrative

On departure; we were given a left turn off of Runway 9C. During the turn; we encountered wake turbulence causing a roll in excess of 45 degrees; giving us the aural warning of 'BANK ANGLE' even with applying full aileron deflection to prevent the excessive roll. The Captain performed the appropriate upset recovery procedure to roll us back to wings level and then on course. No excessive loads were felt on the upset or recovery. After concurring with Dispatch; Maintenance; and ourselves as a crew; we continued to our destination and wrote up the event in the aircraft logbook. [Cause was a] heavy aircraft taking off same runway with six miles of separation.

NASA callback

Reporter stated the severity of the roll surprised him; the fact that the aircraft continued to roll even with full opposite aileron was very concerning.

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