N90 TRACON controller reported receiving reports of wake turbulence from an emb-145 flight crew on a...

Narrative:

[Emb-145] was inbound. While level at 7;000 at 230 knots on the STAR [he] asked for an immediate descent. Once descended I asked [him] for the reason for descent request; and he reported severe turbulence. This seemed odd to have severe turbulence reported on a very active STAR with no other previous reports of any turbulence from other aircraft. I disseminated the PIREP and solicited more reports from other aircraft in the area. All other aircraft reported a smooth ride. I then realized the [emb-145] was 5 miles in trail of a [B737-8 maximum]; who was on the same STAR at the same altitude. I suspect [the emb-145] was actually experiencing wake turbulence behind the [B737-8 maximum].I'm unsure what kind of testing is done with these newer aircraft; but for an emb-145 to experience severe turbulence being 5 miles in trail of a [B737-8 maximum] I'm concerned about this weight classification. I recommend further testing is done on the [B737-8 maximum] aircraft in terms of their weight class and the amount of wake they produce. If it is determined that these aircraft are creating significant wake turbulence to have an emb-145 report severe turbulence while 5 miles in trail level flight at 230 knots; then I think reclassifying them as heavy aircraft may be necessary.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: N90 TRACON Controller reported receiving reports of wake turbulence from an EMB-145 flight crew on arrival into LGA 5 miles in trail of a B737-8 MAX. Reporter expressed concern that the B737-8 MAX may have to be classified as a heavy jet for wake turbulence separation purposes.

Narrative: [EMB-145] was inbound. While level at 7;000 at 230 knots on the STAR [he] asked for an immediate descent. Once descended I asked [him] for the reason for descent request; and he reported severe turbulence. This seemed odd to have severe turbulence reported on a very active STAR with no other previous reports of any turbulence from other aircraft. I disseminated the PIREP and solicited more reports from other aircraft in the area. All other aircraft reported a smooth ride. I then realized the [EMB-145] was 5 miles in trail of a [B737-8 MAX]; who was on the same STAR at the same altitude. I suspect [the EMB-145] was actually experiencing wake turbulence behind the [B737-8 MAX].I'm unsure what kind of testing is done with these newer aircraft; but for an EMB-145 to experience severe turbulence being 5 miles in trail of a [B737-8 MAX] I'm concerned about this weight classification. I recommend further testing is done on the [B737-8 MAX] aircraft in terms of their weight class and the amount of wake they produce. If it is determined that these aircraft are creating significant wake turbulence to have an EMB-145 report severe turbulence while 5 miles in trail level flight at 230 knots; then I think reclassifying them as heavy aircraft may be necessary.

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.

Attributes
ACN	1503285
Time
Date	201712
Local Time Of Day	0601-1200
Place
Locale Reference	N90.TRACON
State Reference	NY
Environment
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Aircraft 2
Make Model Name	B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Initial Approach
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Approach
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Experience	Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 6
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter

N90 TRACON controller reported receiving reports of wake turbulence from an emb-145 flight crew on arrival into lga 5 miles in trail of a B737-8 maximum. Reporter expressed concern that the B737-8 maximum may have to be classified as a heavy jet for wake turbulence separation purposes.