CRJ-900 flight crew reported encountering wake turbulence in trail of a B747 on approach to JFK.
Synopsis
CRJ-900 flight crew reported encountering wake turbulence in trail of a B747 on approach to JFK.
Narrative
I was working with a student as a LCP (Line Check Pilot). I was pilot flying. The weather was night VFR at both airports. The flight was uneventful until the approach segment. We were assigned 4000 feet and getting vectors for the ILS 22L [at JFK]. As we were getting vectored I could tell that we were getting vectored behind a few preceding aircraft. ATC slowed us to 210 knots and continued to vector us. We encountered some light wake turbulence but nothing drastic. I was watching the TCAS and could see we were following an aircraft. As we continued to follow; ATC slowed us to 180 knots and I called flaps 8. About 10 seconds later I could see and feel the plane sway. I gripped the yoke in preparation. And sure enough we hit strong wake turbulence. I instinctively clicked off the autopilot as the plane began an uncommanded roll to the right. I fought it back to level only for another uncommanded roll to the left to happen. There was about 4 uncommanded rolls with the greatest bank angle nearing 40 degrees. I was able to keep altitude loss to about 120 to 150 feet and airspeed did fluctuate a good amount. We got clear and I reported it to ATC. It was a 747 about 7-10 miles in front of us that caused it. The rest of the approach and landing was uneventful. The cause was not enough separation between us and the 747 to allow for wake to dissipate. I suggest ATC give us more separation from larger aircraft when sequencing us in for landing.
Second reporter narrative
Wake turbulence event to JFK. I was First Officer and PM (Pilot Monitoring). We were on a vector for a modified base leg into JFK ILS 22L after delay vectors for high traffic. We were vectored in line behind a heavy 747. At 4000 ft MSL and level we experienced strong wake turbulence. The Captain was at the controls and quickly disconnected the autopilot just before the largest; uncommanded rolling motion to our left. While regaining control the aircraft lost about 120 ft. We then deselected the autopilot and reported the event with JFK Approach Control. We landed without further event.
NASA callback
Reporter stated this was a strong wake encounter.
More incidents for this aircraft family →
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.