2023-07 · NASA ASRS report 2019930
Air Carrier B737-800 flight crew reported encountering wake turbulence 10 miles in trail of another B737 at FL340 resulting in an inflight upset.
Just prior to level off at FL 340; aircraft hit light turbulence with slight left roll then a rapid left roll of about 50 degrees and nose down of about 15 degrees. Event was very similar to an unusual attitude event in the simulator. My FO (First Officer) handled it perfectly as he clicked off autopilot before it disconnected. He rolled wings level and raised the nose before we got an over speed. He even included; 'My aircraft;' which was perfect. We were in the clear above clouds; with no convective activity around so I asked ATC what we were following. The controller said there was a 737 about 10 miles ahead at FL 340. The wind was on our nose at 82 kts; so it seemed consistent with a wake turbulence encounter. I checked with the Flight Attendants who reported everybody was fine. I then made a PA to explain the wake turbulence encounter. The aircraft was flying fine so we continued to ZZZ and made a normal approach and landing. I made a logbook entry of the momentary severe turbulence encounter due to wake turbulence.Despite being 10 miles behind another 737; the winds on the nose of 82 kts set us up for the worst wake turbulence encounter of my years on the 737! This was totally unexpected and strange!
The Captain and myself experienced wake turbulence from a B737 10 miles away. The wake put us in an undesirable aircraft state; about 60 degrees bank to the left with a nose down attitude. No one was injured.Cause was wake turbulence.
More incidents for this aircraft family
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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