B777 flight crew reported encountering wake turbulence departing EDDF (Frankfurt; Germany) in trail of an A340.
Synopsis
B777 flight crew reported encountering wake turbulence departing EDDF (Frankfurt; Germany) in trail of an A340.
Narrative
Severe Wake Turbulence.After normal takeoff from Runway 7C at EDDF we were flying the OBOKA 1D departure. Conditions were clear and smooth air. No ceiling and unlimited visibility. At approximately 9;500 ft. we encountered unexpected severe turbulence that we later determined was caused by the wake of a preceding Airbus A340 approximately 8 miles ahead and to our left. First Officer (FO) pushed nose over to maintain attitude and it started to calm down but when he resumed the climb we got right back into the turbulence. We then immediately offset to our right of course and notified ATC. Total encounter lasted less than 10-15 seconds and we did not even have time to get out a PA to advise our flight attendants to take their seats immediately. Since we were below 10;000 ft.; I had not given them the chime to get up and they were still in their seats. We called back to make sure everyone was OK and that there were no injuries. Everyone was fine; just shaken. We assessed for aircraft damage and the plane seemed to fly fine. All engine indications were normal and after sending a notification to Dispatch we decided the best course of action was to continue to our destination. The rest of the flight was smooth and uneventful. We did make the appropriate maintenance write up regarding the severe turbulence and all of the parameters involved.
Second reporter narrative
Unexpected turbulence.Cleared for takeoff from EDDF Runway 07C - OBOKA1D SID. I was Pilot Flying (PF) and hand flying the SID. We were given free-speed; cleared direct to ODAGA and climb to FL110. We proceeded direct to ODAGA; set FL110 and accelerated to approximately 310 kts in the climb; flight was normal. During the climb at approximately FL095 we encountered unexpected severe turbulence. Wings remained mostly level; while maintaining pitch attitude was extremely difficult. Do not recall losing altitude; and duration of the event was approximately 15 seconds and went approximately 5 kts into the red band for maybe 3 seconds; received no overspeed warning nor clacker. The Captain (Pilot Monitoring (PM)) made inquiry/report to controlling agency (EDDF) as we suspected possible wake turbulence from an aircraft to our approximate 11 o'clock position and roughly 8 miles; 2;000 feet above. Captain (PM) asked if was a A380 and ATC advised was a A340. A turn away from the A340 was requested and granted as we suspected possible wake turbulence and a continued climb to FL170. Flight Attendants were in their jumpseats still and passengers were seated; seat belt sign was on (10;000 foot cabin chime had not been given as yet).After the turbulence subsided; the PM immediately checked-in with the Flight Attendants (FA); determined no reports of injuries; and reported the event to Dispatch and Maintenance. We continued the flight as planned; Captain (CA) made a PA to the passengers; and we monitored the aircraft performance and all appeared to be normal. Flight continued normally.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.