ERJ-175 Captain reported encountering wake turbulence on a parallel visual approach to SFO from a B777 on the parallel runway. A go-around was initiated as the wake was strong enough to destabilize the approach.
Synopsis
ERJ-175 Captain reported encountering wake turbulence on a parallel visual approach to SFO from a B777 on the parallel runway. A go-around was initiated as the wake was strong enough to destabilize the approach.
Narrative
During a 121 normal operation flight to San Francisco International AirPort (SFO); I was acting as Captain and pilot monitoring for this flight. It seemed like a very standard flight and while descending for the Tip-Toe Visual 28L; approach control tell our aircraft caution wake turbulence there is a 777 10 miles ahead landing 28R. Thus is a very standard thing to hear while landing in SFO. We talk about it in the cockpit and have visual on the aircraft. At roughly 1;500 feet; fully configured to land on 28L; we feel a slight buffet and immediate uncommanded roll to the left and then the right. The First Officer acts promptly; using ailerons; and pulls on the yoke to gain altitude; and I call for adding more power to gain airspeed. During the roll to the right; I call out my controls;" and execute a go around. Almost immediately during the go-around; the aircraft gives an aural warning; "speed;" for overspeeding the flaps. I immediately pull the throttles out of Max and engage the auto-throttles. During the level off; we did not have an assigned altitude and climb to 3;300 feet. ATC says maintain 3;000; so we descend by 300 feet. At this time we have an EICAS message stating "Bleed 1 and 2 Overpressure." I delegate tasks to the First Officer having him fly and work the radios while I execute the QRH procedure. After completing this; I make an announcement to the passengers and talk to the Flight Attendants about the go-around and that we would be landing in 10 minutes. The First Officer the lands normally on 28L. At the gate; the First Officer and myself brief what had happened and I write a maintenance report about the severe wake turbulence and flap overspeed. I did however forget to mention the Bleed 1 and 2 overpressure message on the EICAS. This was not malicious intent. I simply forgot and was trying to get everything straight about the event. I then called the dispatcher and Maintenance Control. I talked to Maintenance Control about the wake turbulence and the QRH procedure ran for the Bleed 1 and 2 Overpressure.Cause: The cause of this event was wake turbulence from proceeding 777 aircraft on closely spaced parallel runways.Suggestions: Wake turbulence avoidance procedures at low altitudes. Typically this training is done during training and is at high-altitudes. I recommend including wake turbulence avoidance and escape training in the simulators."
NASA callback
Reporter stated that conditions seemed to be perfect for wake encounters from the parallel aircraft; with a light quartering tailwind.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.