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|
Attributes | |
ACN | 1120722 |
Time | |
Date | 201310 |
Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
Place | |
Locale Reference | ZLC.ARTCC |
State Reference | UT |
Environment | |
Flight Conditions | VMC |
Light | Dusk |
Aircraft 1 | |
Make Model Name | B757-200 |
Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
Flight Phase | Cruise |
Route In Use | Direct |
Flight Plan | IFR |
Aircraft 2 | |
Make Model Name | A380 |
Operating Under FAR Part | Part 121 |
Flight Phase | Cruise |
Flight Plan | IFR |
Person 1 | |
Function | Captain Check Pilot Pilot Not Flying |
Qualification | Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Flight Instructor Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Multiengine |
Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 240 Flight Crew Total 20000 Flight Crew Type 4500 |
Events | |
Anomaly | Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter |
Narrative:
Aircraft struck A380 wake turbulence. Flying into sun late afternoon [at FL360]; we saw the contrails of an approaching aircraft at FL370; left to right at an angle of approximately 45 [degrees]. It was first viewed at about our 11 o'clock; then moved slowly through our 12 o'clock to pass down our right side; 1;000 ft above at FL370. I estimate it was 2 miles at its closest. We could not determine the aircraft type; but thought it was probably a B777 or similar. After the aircraft had passed we noticed that the contrails had descended rapidly to our level; and we then flew through them; encountering a short burst of moderate turbulence that surprised us with its ferocity.the seat belt sign had been off due to a totally smooth cruise. I checked in with the purser and was relieved to find out that there were no injuries in the cabin. I would estimate the total encounter time to be under 3 seconds. I called into slc center to ask what aircraft type had just passed us; and they replied that it was an A380; super category. I advised the controller that we had hit a significant level of wake turbulence; but fortunately no injuries. He could not have sounded less interested. I told him we should have been notified of such a large aircraft in our vicinity and I said I would be filing an as soon as possible to highlight the event.this had to be a completely avoidable situation; with some proactive activity on the part of ATC. I am wondering why that aircraft was not [pointed out] to us; and why increased separation strategies for heavy or super aircraft are not being applied especially in rvsm airspace. If we had both been turned to the right early enough; that wake would not have been an issue. How is it that I am routinely advised of opposite direction and converging aircraft of aircraft like rj's but when a super wake turbulence category A380 comes along; no warning is given?
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: B757-200 Captain reported wake turbulence in cruise at FL360 from an A380 at FL370. Captain stated he would have liked a point out from ATC.
Narrative: Aircraft struck A380 wake turbulence. Flying into sun late afternoon [at FL360]; we saw the contrails of an approaching aircraft at FL370; left to right at an angle of approximately 45 [degrees]. It was first viewed at about our 11 o'clock; then moved slowly through our 12 o'clock to pass down our right side; 1;000 FT above at FL370. I estimate it was 2 miles at its closest. We could not determine the aircraft type; but thought it was probably a B777 or similar. After the aircraft had passed we noticed that the contrails had descended rapidly to our level; and we then flew through them; encountering a short burst of moderate turbulence that surprised us with its ferocity.The seat belt sign had been off due to a totally smooth cruise. I checked in with the Purser and was relieved to find out that there were no injuries in the cabin. I would estimate the total encounter time to be under 3 seconds. I called into SLC Center to ask what aircraft type had just passed us; and they replied that it was an A380; super category. I advised the Controller that we had hit a significant level of wake turbulence; but fortunately no injuries. He could not have sounded less interested. I told him we should have been notified of such a large aircraft in our vicinity and I said I would be filing an ASAP to highlight the event.This had to be a completely avoidable situation; with some proactive activity on the part of ATC. I am wondering why that aircraft was not [pointed out] to us; and why increased separation strategies for heavy or super aircraft are not being applied especially in RVSM airspace. If we had both been turned to the right early enough; that wake would not have been an issue. How is it that I am routinely advised of opposite direction and converging aircraft of aircraft like RJ's but when a super wake turbulence category A380 comes along; no warning is given?
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.