EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Total 12064; Flight Crew Type 3415
Workload
Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Weather
At FL200 in cruise to ZZZ; we were experiencing continuous moderate turbulence for the majority of the flight. The seat belt sign was on and the FAs (Flight Attendants) were seated when we suddenly experienced severe/extreme turbulence 50 miles NE of ZZZ1. The event lasted approximately 20 seconds and we encountered airspeed deviations of +/- 20 knots and altitude deviations of +/- 200 feet. The aircraft was briefly uncontrollable. We were maintaining 270 knots when we experienced this encounter. We did not experience any indications of an over-speed. During this encounter we immediately made a report with ATC and were cleared to descend to 17;000 MSL. We then confirmed the safety of our FAs and passengers and then sent a message to Dispatch via ACARS.We then continued in moderate turbulence and began a descent into ZZZ. At 13;000 feet over ZZZ2 we experienced approximately 10-15 seconds of severe/extreme turbulence again; made the notification to ATC and again confirmed everyone was stilled seated. We received reports from the preceeding aircraft on the approach into ZZZ; which indicated occasional moderate turbulence and a ceiling of approximately 1;000 feet. We continued the approach and landing at ZZZ with no further incident and immediately contacted Dispatch and Maintenance Control at the gate.
EMB-175 Captain reported severe turbulence encounter resulting in momentary loss of control.