B737 flight crew reported temporary loss of control due to severe turbulence.
Synopsis
B737 flight crew reported temporary loss of control due to severe turbulence.
Narrative
When we checked in with ZZZ Center they told us there had been previous reports of severe turbulence into ZZZ. We told them we could not fly into known severe turbulence and they said it was reported at lower altitudes and we should talk to ZZZ Approach about that. They gave us a descend via for the ZZZZZ arrival into ZZZ. When we checked in with ZZZ Approach we told them the same thing and they told us those reports were 20 minutes old. They also said we had traffic 20 miles in front of us reporting nothing worse then moderate so we made the decision to continue. We had moderate most of the way down until we hit approx 14;000 feet at the ZZZZZ1 intersection on the arrival. We started making the turn to downwind and hit severe turbulence. The autopilot kicked off and we experienced a hard roll to the right. We couldn't control the airspeed; altitude or roll of the aircraft. I have never experienced turbulence like this in my almost 20 years with the Company. It was definitely severe turbulence. This lasted until approximately 9000 feet. When we landed we called dispatch; ZZZ TRACON; and spoke with the Chief Pilot in Houston. Also spoke to Maintenance Control.
Second reporter narrative
Flight encountered severe turbulence at 11;000 feet on the ZZZZZ arrival into ZZZ. After taking off from ZZZ1; ZZZ Center informed us that there were numerous reports of severe turbulence along the front range. We informed Center that would could not fly into areas of known severe turbulence. Center told us to inquire with ZZZ approach about the reports. After checking on with approach and also telling them we could not fly into known severe turbulence they informed us that the last report of severe was some time ago and that previous aircraft reported moderate on the descent into ZZZ. Approach controller asked a flight that was in front of us on the arrival about their ride; they calmly reported ' just some moderate' So we continued on the arrival. At 11;000 ft on the arrival we encountered severe turbulence which kicked off the auto pilot; caused the aircraft to roll violently and a drop of approximately 300-400 ft of altitude. During this time we received a roll authority message associated with the auto pilot. For a period of time we were unable to control the aircraft pitch; roll and airspeed. We smoothly returned to 11;000 ft as to not put undue stress on the aircraft. We reported to approach that we were experiencing severe turbulence and requested a lower altitude. They were unable to approve this as aircraft departing ZZZ were climbing out beneath us. Eventually approach was able to approve a descent to a lower altitude; we continued into ZZZ with almost continuous moderate turbulence until short final. Made an uneventful landing and taxied to the gate where we subsequently wrote up the aircraft for severe turbulence.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.