EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
While in cruise flight at FL330; ATC had sped up a B777 behind us to M.85 2;000 feet above our flight level; as it passed us overhead; we then encountered its wake. At the time it passed us; we were in a high layer of cloud cover and had no visual reference to this aircraft. Once we had encountered its wake; our autopilot failed and the Pilot Flying; (the First Officer); hand flew from that point on. ATC was advised; we turned to avoid any further turbulence from the aircraft and given a lower flight level due to no longer being RVSM capable. [We ran] the QRH for autopilot fail on the EICAS. The cabin was contacted and the report from our flight attendant was that no one was injured. During this event; the fasten belt sign was on. Company was sent a maintenance request via ACARS and we landed without any further incidents.
EMB-145 Captain reported encountering wake turbulence from a B777 2;000 feet above them in cruise flight that resulted in loss of their autopilot.