B767 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 200; Flight Crew Total 13000; Flight Crew Type 2422
Situational Awareness
Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
During enroute descent from FL280 to FL200 on HYPER7; encountered wake from an A330 that was also on HYPER7 approximately 15 miles ahead of us. The seatbelt sign had just been turned on (1 minute?) for the descent/arrival and the air was smooth. The wind was on the nose at 35 knots (noted after the encounter(s)). The aircraft went through brief (2-4 seconds) of 'nibble'-like chop than 2 independent 'corkscrew'-like movements. There was no time to issue any warning to the flight attendants then the event was over. I called back to Purser to inquire if anyone was hurt. No one was but he did say that folks did tumble. I told him that we had no warning. It was smooth for the remainder of the flight.We asked ATC what we were following and they replied that it was a heavy Airbus. TCAS had it at 15 miles ahead. We were flying 290 knots (assigned). As I was talking with Purser; I believe the 2 flying pilots were inquiring if it was a Super or a Heavy as we had a short discussion after I reported to Captain that everyone was ok. No injuries.The severity of the encounter was certainly enough to spill coffee; carts; flight attendants and passengers. The motion was uncoordinated with pitch; yaw and roll. I doubt if we exceeded 10 degrees of roll but the yaw was opposite (roll left; yaw right) and; I think; the other way for the second set of motion. As mentioned. We did get some wake 'chop' shortly prior to the roll/yaw/pitch motions. I would categorize [the encounter] as 'moderate' in severity. It certainly could have tumbled passengers and flight attendants enough to cause injury. We got lucky.
B767 First Officer reported encountering moderate wake turbulence while on descent 15 miles in trail of an A330.