B737 First Officer reported during climb aircraft began a subtle shake followed by a right then left wing drop resulted in pilot descent which stabilized aircraft.

Date: 2024-06 · Aircraft: B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated · Phase: climb

Anomalies: Aircraft equipment problem criticalInflight event encounter other unknown

Synopsis

B737 First Officer reported during climb aircraft began a subtle shake followed by a right then left wing drop resulted in pilot descent which stabilized aircraft.

Narrative

Climbing through FL330 to FL370 I was the pilot flying with CMD B engaged; LNAV VNAV AT armed. Just past FL330 the aircraft began a subtle shake for approximately 10-15 seconds after which the aircraft began to drop the right wing. I disconnected the autopilot and corrected with approximately 1/2-3/4 scale deflection on the control wheel back to the left which resulted in the aircraft to enter a left wing low state. Finally correcting back to the right; the captain and I agreed to lower the nose and level off the vibrations subsided. Still hand flying I tried a climb once more to FL370; the aircraft once again began to shake and we agreed to descend to FL310. On the descent the vibrations stopped and I reengaged the autopilot in level flight; once level the CA assumed control of the aircraft to feel out the flight controls and could not replicate the unstable aircraft state. We agreed to continue to ZZZ and landed uneventfully.

NASA callback

Reporter stated that he checked with Maintenance the day after the event; but no cause was found. Reporter further stated he considered the possibility of a wake turbulence encounter; but this buffet/vibration did not feel like other wake encounters; it was more gradual and subtle. The only reported traffic in their area was a B787 about ten minutes ahead of them. Cause remains undetermined. Aircraft type reported as B737-800 or B737-900; not a MAX.

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