CE-680A flight crew reported an encounter with either wake or atmospheric turbulence in cruise flight at FL230 that resulted in minor injuries to the Captain.
Synopsis
CE-680A flight crew reported an encounter with either wake or atmospheric turbulence in cruise flight at FL230 that resulted in minor injuries to the Captain.
Narrative
Incident occurred in cruise flight; FL230; near HARBO intersection in New York FIR. The seat belts" sign was on and all occupants wore lap and shoulder harnesses. My head was turned and looking down when we encountered an abrupt; unreported pocket of turbulence that rocked the aircraft 5 degrees left then immediately 15 - 20 degrees right; as well as deviating vertically. The autopilot recovered the aircraft to a stable attitude almost immediately. I looked at the passenger who gave me a thumbs up. Nothing in the cabin was displaced. The First Officer then orally confirmed that the passenger was uninjured. I reported the incident to New York as a pocket of severe turbulence and no injuries.We were approaching an area of max shear prediction of "5" near plume; but air remained smooth both before and after the incident and the remainder of the flight. No other aircraft reported turbulence and we did not notice any nearby aircraft on the TCAS; even though the displacement was consistent with passing through a wake vortex.As we continued my neck and head gradually tightened and hurt so I sought medical treatment after shutting down and inspecting the airplane. After conferring with FOM; Turbulence Reporting Criteria; and with my First Officer; I downgraded my assessment of the turbulence category to moderate. The displacement was momentary; did not dislodge any items; and the aircraft recovered itself without pilot intervention. Suggestions: Make this data available to any studies on the movement and persistence of wake vortices."
Second reporter narrative
This event occurred roughly halfway through the flight; approximately over the Jersey Shore outside the DC; Philadelphia; and New York airspace and arrivals corridor. The aircraft crossed/encountered what I perceived to be wake turbulence from another airplane. The flight conditions were completely clear and smooth when instantly the aircraft banked leftwards around 5 to 10 degrees accompanied by very aggressive jolts. Nearly instantly the left wing aggressively returned upwards to a normal state and everything returned to smooth flight conditions. It was as if the left wing had stopped producing lift momentarily yet we were nowhere near stall conditions. The return to equilibrium had a sort of whiplash reaction. The entire event happened within a second and everyone was seated. I turned my head around and asked the owner if she was okay; as the event was startling and she was clearly surprised. Immediately the Captain reported to ATC that we had encountered severe turbulence with no injuries. I think having said encountered another aircraft's wake would have been more precise; due to our proximity to the New York and DC arrivals and the nature of the event itself. Again; the flight went from totally clear and smooth to an instant disruption followed by instant calm once again. It was unlike regular turbulence of any kind. Upon arriving at the destination; the Captain advised me she had a creak in her neck and wasn't sure she'd be able to continue. From there we reached out the Chief Pilot and Medical Service and she received medical attention. She did a series of tests in the hospital and was cleared with no official injuries a day later.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.