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Center controller reported B737 had a wake vortex encounter with an A380 that in the B737 pilot's words 'felt like [we were] hit by a truck.' controller noted the B737 was about 13 miles in trail and separated by 1;000 feet; and wondered whether the separation standards should be increased for super aircraft.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1108965 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201308 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZDV.ARTCC |
| State Reference | CO |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | B737-700 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Aircraft 2 | |
| Make Model Name | A380 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Enroute |
| Qualification | Air Traffic Control Fully Certified |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter |
Narrative:
B737 checked on frequency level at FL390 and after receiving my acknowledgement; asked if there was any traffic ahead of him and higher. I informed the pilot that I had no traffic anywhere close to him. The pilot then informed me that he hit a bad patch of clear air turbulence about 20 miles back and that it was very moderate and lasted about 5 seconds and that it was lucky that no one got injured; because it felt like the aircraft was hit by a truck on the side. Because of the 20 mile back report; I expanded out and noticed a track in SLC34 at FL400. I called SLC34 and inquired about the aircraft's type and discovered the aircraft was an A380. I informed [B737 pilot] of the aircraft and he remarked that the winds did make it favorable for the wake turbulence to remain there. Upon reviewing the falcon data; it was discovered that the A380 was on a converging course and passed 13 miles in front of and about 5 miles laterally from the B737 on an angle that took the B737 into the track of the A380 about 15 miles behind. Not sure if there is a solution; other than increased separation of 2;000 feet below and 10 miles. Not even sure 2;000 feet is enough for the super aircraft.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Center controller reported B737 had a wake vortex encounter with an A380 that in the B737 pilot's words 'felt like [we were] hit by a truck.' Controller noted the B737 was about 13 miles in trail and separated by 1;000 feet; and wondered whether the separation standards should be increased for Super Aircraft.
Narrative: B737 checked on frequency level at FL390 and after receiving my acknowledgement; asked if there was any traffic ahead of him and higher. I informed the pilot that I had no traffic anywhere close to him. The pilot then informed me that he hit a bad patch of clear air turbulence about 20 miles back and that it was very moderate and lasted about 5 seconds and that it was lucky that no one got injured; because it felt like the aircraft was hit by a truck on the side. Because of the 20 mile back report; I expanded out and noticed a track in SLC34 at FL400. I called SLC34 and inquired about the aircraft's type and discovered the aircraft was an A380. I informed [B737 pilot] of the aircraft and he remarked that the winds did make it favorable for the wake turbulence to remain there. Upon reviewing the FALCON data; it was discovered that the A380 was on a converging course and passed 13 miles in front of and about 5 miles laterally from the B737 on an angle that took the B737 into the track of the A380 about 15 miles behind. Not sure if there is a solution; other than increased separation of 2;000 feet below and 10 miles. Not even sure 2;000 feet is enough for the super aircraft.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.