CRJ900 flight crew reported encountering wake turbulence from a preceding B747 on descent into MEM that resulted in a loss of control. Flight crew regained control and landed safely.
Synopsis
CRJ900 flight crew reported encountering wake turbulence from a preceding B747 on descent into MEM that resulted in a loss of control. Flight crew regained control and landed safely.
Narrative
While heading into Memphis; Memphis ATC had a 747 on the same airway as us. The aircraft was 2;000' above and roughly 15-20miles in front of us. We were at FL340 and given clearance down to FL300. I noticed the traffic in front of us was descending as well. By the time I realized the traffic in front of us was the 747; and was going to descend below us while on the same track; we hit the wake turbulence. The plane veered hard right then back to the left. I clicked off the Autopilot to regain control of the aircraft. I told the FO to notify ATC that we are responding to a wake turbulence event and we need relief. We regained control of the aircraft; asked for a higher level off altitude of FL320 to give us space from the 747. I questioned Memphis center as to why they had a 747 so close to us on the same track descend through our path. No solid answer was given. We asked for further space and separation and the flight continued on with no further incident.Cause: ATC lost separation between aircraft.Suggestion: ATC needs to watch aircraft separation there should have been an offset vertically and laterally; or at the very least further space between us and a heavy aircraft.
Second reporter narrative
We were told to descend and as we started to; we encountered wake turbulence from a 747. Captain who was PF disconnected the Autopilot and took control to recover. The wake turbulence caused us to deviate our course and altitude for a moment. We advised ATC and requested to stay above them and to space us out.Cause: Not aware we were following a 747 and ATC not offsetting us.Suggestion: ATC space us out more and advise us we are following a 747.
NASA callback
Reporter stated he was surprised that ATC failed to build in some separation on the descent.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.