B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Time Pressure
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Procedure
Traffic was heavy during our arrival; and we were vectored across the final to fly a downwind entry to a visual approach to [Runway] 19R. We were following an RJ by about 4 miles; and were fully configured at minimum speed on a 15-mile final; and gaining on the aircraft ahead. When we checked in with Tower over LEMON; they advised to 'continue... traffic will be holding in position.' When the RJ landed; a B737 was told to line up and wait; be ready for an immediate takeoff. We received our landing clearance at about 500 FT on final. The 737 got off the ground as we were at about 300 FT on final; and when we got over the runway threshold; we encountered lots of jet wash from the plane. The approach was stable and I continued the landing; just very rough right at the most critical time of landing. This spacing was too close. I think the 737 flight crew could have waited another minute or two until after we had landed-there was a lot of space between us and the next landing airplane. This has been happening for a while now at SNA; but it seems to be happening more often; and getting closer. This was the closest I've ever seen.
During closely spaced arrivals and departures to SNA the flight crew of a B737-800 encountered wake turbulence from a departing B737.