Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Total 16000
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Environment - Non Weather Related
[We were] on the FLIPR TWO Arrival at 10;000 FT over Virginia Key (VKZ); following 747-400 approximately 1;000 FT above our altitude. Aircraft encountered wake turbulence. [We] could not maintain altitude; pitch or roll [and] abruptly lost approximately 300 FT; rolled left and right; pitched nose down. [We] turned off course [and] recovered control of aircraft. Informed ATC; passengers; and flight crew reported no injuries. Landed and received ACARS message for Severe Turbulence Logged incident in logbook. ATC caused this by too close spacing. Also; no wind at altitude was a major contribution. Amazing that 24 hours later; same flight; same place; ATC tried to put the flight too close to 777 heavy; different winds. ATC needs more spacing.
We were at level flight at 10;000 FT; clean configuration; 250 KTS; inside of FLIPR on the FLIPR 2 arrival. I noticed an aircraft 8 miles ahead of us about 11;000 FT descending. I asked ATC the aircraft type and they responded it was a 747. I noticed there were calm winds so I began a speed reduction to 220 KTS to provide for more spacing. We continued and a few moments later we ran into the 747 wake turbulence. The aircraft rolled sharp right pitched down and began to lose altitude. I corrected as trained we lost about 400 FT; and were off course about 30 degrees about a 340 degree heading. We contacted ATC got a lower altitude to 8;000 FT and than a turn to 280 degrees heading off course. To my knowledge no one was hurt. The seat belt sign was on and all flight attendants were in their seats.I wish ATC would let you know when you are behind a Heavy and not only when there is minimum separation of 5 miles. This way the pilot could better look at all the factors such as wind at altitude; the heavies relationship to your aircraft to name a few. I feel 10 miles should be a minimum for separation behind a Heavy.
B737-800 flight crew reported wake vortex encounter in trail of a B747-400 on arrival to MIA that resulted in loss of pitch and roll control and 300 FT altitude excursion.