B737 Captain reported encountering wake turbulence that resulted in an aircraft upset at FL340 in trail of an Airbus.

Date: 2024-04 · Aircraft: B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated · Phase: climb

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

Synopsis

B737 Captain reported encountering wake turbulence that resulted in an aircraft upset at FL340 in trail of an Airbus.

Narrative

At about 20 to 25 minutes into the flight; the aircraft was in the process of leveling off at flight level 340 with the autopilot engaged. There was just a little bit of light chop; seat belt sign was on; the flight attendants were up. As the aircraft started the level-off it rolled aggressively about 30 to 35° to the right and pitched up what I believe was around 5 to 7°. I immediately grabbed the controls and started the recovery maneuver; push roll thrust stabilize. The aircraft rolled several times; each time I had to do the recovery maneuver. For a second I thought that I had a flight control problem because the flight controls weren't responding the way I was expecting due to the rolling action of the wake. Once stabilized at FL340 we advised ATC that we think we encountered wake turbulence. The controller's response was; 'Yeah there was a heavy Airbus up there. Contact Washington Center.' I called the flight attendants and asked how they were and if there was any damage or injury. They said they were OK and just some spilled drinks in the galley.

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