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ASRS 2042958

ACN 2042958 · 2023-10 · Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900)

CRJ-900 flight crew reported encountering significant wake turbulence on descent into JFK in trail of a B777.

Wake Turbulence Encounters DescentPart 121

Pilot narratives

Verbatim, de-identified by NASA. Placeholders: ZZZ, X, Y.

Reporter 1

While being vectored for approach into JFK, we encountered significant wake turbulence. We were behind a B777. We were descending from 4000 to 2000 ft. and slowing from 210 to 180 KIAS as per ATC instructions. I don't remember being told "caution wake turbulence" by Approach. The event lasted a few seconds and the autopilot did not disconnect. I don't remember the exact parameters of pitch/bank/etc as it was very quick. I didn't tell ATC as right after the event we were cleared for the approach, so I just wanted to get on the ground as quickly and safely as possible. Every indication looked normal and we landed without further incident. After getting to the gate, I called Maintenance Control and wrote it up to be inspected since it was probably one of the more severe ones I had experienced. I also spoke to the Duty Pilot and debriefed with him. The front Flight Attendant advised me she hit her head against the galley wall while strapped in the jumpseat. I asked her if she was okay to continue multiple times and she said she was. After a plane swap, we flew the next flight back to ZZZ without incident. We were vectored too close to the heavy aircraft in front of us. [I suggest to] maintain more spacing with a heavy jet, whether through ATC directed spacing or us asking ATC for more spacing if we hear a heavy aircraft on frequency that we are following.

Reporter 2

Encountered wake from landing B777 on base to final turn into JFK. Approach did not warn of any wake turbulence, Tower did advise but it was after the event. Turbulence short but very abrupt. Not enough wake separation from NY approach for preceding B777.

Analyst callback

Paraphrased notes from ASRS analyst follow-up calls with the reporter.

Reporter stated the wake encounter was quite significant.

NASA classification · Anomalies

  • Inflight Event / Encounter

NASA classification · Assessments

Contributing Factors / Situations
Environment - Non Weather Related · Procedure
Primary Problem
Procedure

ASRS reports are voluntary, de-identified by NASA, and represent the reporter's perspective; they are not investigated and cannot be used to infer prevalence. Authoritative source: asrs.arc.nasa.gov ↗