Narrative:

With bwi approach control [potomac]; we were vectored onto a visual approach to 33L. They put us in between 2 B737s which where only separated by 5 NM; by referencing the TCAS map. We were told to slow to final approach speed. We configured to flaps 22 and gear down. Passing through 150 KIAS and approximately 1400 ft AGL with the autopilot on; the aircraft began to roll to the right and suspected wake turbulence. As we continued to roll to the right passing 25-30 degrees of bank; I decided to take control of the aircraft and autopilot automatically disabled when rolling the yoke to the left. I continued to roll the yoke to the left to the stop. I had no more aileron input to the left and we continued to roll through 60-70 degrees. At this time the pilot monitoring decided to push the power to full forward helping in any way to regain control the aircraft. Audial 'bank angle' was heard and we continued to roll. At this time I decided the best course of action was to stop trying to roll the aircraft level to the left and let the aircraft to continue to roll and try to maintain a 1G roll with the direction of the wake. We had no control of the aircraft as we passed 80 degrees bank. At about 90 degrees bank; with the engine spooled up; we regained control of the aircraft and recovered from the unusual attitude. We apparently were no longer in the wake of the aircraft in front of us. Recovering from the excessive bank; we executed a go-around. We told bwi tower that we encountered wake turbulence and called the go around. We were vectored around for another visual and landed. Bwi TRACON [potomac] seems to put aircraft very close on visuals. I know separation can be reduced to 2.5 NM on visual approaches within 10 miles of runway; but 3 miles might be safer with an rj behind a B737-800. In doing some research; a 737-800 can have the same wake at max landing weight as a 757. Would suggest to at least move to 3 [miles].

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: EMB-145 flight crew reported a loss of control and aircraft upset following a wake turbulence encounter on approach to BWI in trail of a B737 which caused a 90 degree bank.

Narrative: With BWI Approach Control [Potomac]; we were vectored onto a visual approach to 33L. They put us in between 2 B737s which where only separated by 5 NM; by referencing the TCAS map. We were told to slow to final approach speed. We configured to flaps 22 and gear down. Passing through 150 KIAS and approximately 1400 ft AGL with the autopilot on; the aircraft began to roll to the right and suspected wake turbulence. As we continued to roll to the right passing 25-30 degrees of bank; I decided to take control of the aircraft and autopilot automatically disabled when rolling the yoke to the left. I continued to roll the yoke to the left to the stop. I had no more aileron input to the left and we continued to roll through 60-70 degrees. At this time the Pilot Monitoring decided to push the power to full forward helping in any way to regain control the aircraft. Audial 'Bank Angle' was heard and we continued to roll. At this time I decided the best course of action was to stop trying to roll the aircraft level to the left and let the aircraft to continue to roll and try to maintain a 1G roll with the direction of the wake. We had no control of the aircraft as we passed 80 degrees bank. At about 90 degrees bank; with the engine spooled up; we regained control of the aircraft and recovered from the unusual attitude. We apparently were no longer in the wake of the aircraft in front of us. Recovering from the excessive bank; we executed a go-around. We told BWI Tower that we encountered wake turbulence and called the go around. We were vectored around for another visual and landed. BWI TRACON [Potomac] seems to put aircraft very close on visuals. I know separation can be reduced to 2.5 NM on visual approaches within 10 miles of runway; but 3 miles might be safer with an RJ behind a B737-800. In doing some research; a 737-800 can have the same wake at max landing weight as a 757. Would suggest to at least move to 3 [miles].

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.