EMB ERJ 190/195 ER/LR
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Total 12000
Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Procedure; Environment - Non Weather Related
About 15 minutes after departure [and] climbing though 17;000 feet; we experienced a sudden jolt which we believe was the result of the wake from another aircraft. There was no TCAS indication of the other aircraft. We told ATC and they said a heavy B777 was 13 miles from us. We saw nothing on TCAS after scrolling up; down and changing range. I spoke with the flight attendants. [One of the flight attendants] said she hit her knee on a cart. No other passengers were up nor were there any complaints from any of the passengers. The seat belt sign remained on for the duration of the flight.Vectored too close to a heavy aircraft. We could not see the other aircraft nor [did we have] any TCAS indication. ATC just said 'caution wake turbulence' and stated he was about 13 miles from us. They could [have] suggested a heading change since we were climbing on assigned heading and altitude. It was impossible for me to know where the other aircraft was; so I could not take any action to avoid the wake turbulence.
During climb out; flight crew was advised of heavy B777 traffic that was outside visual range with 'caution wake turbulence' included. Flight was unable to find traffic either visually or on TCAS displays. Attempts were made to get updates on location of traffic. ATC reported traffic outside of thirteen miles. Workload was very high on flight deck with strong tailwinds accelerating the need to quickly prepare for the arrival into [destination airport]. It had been several minutes since the first report of the traffic when the flight experienced no more than two seconds of very strong turbulence which quickly stopped and the flight resumed flight in calm smooth air. Communication with the cabin was established to ascertain the status of cabin crew and passengers. One Flight Attendant reported a possible injury to the knee. Captain advised her to stay seated for the duration of the flight. Flight arrived [at destination] without further event. ATC did a poor job of traffic separation. The flight crew was task loaded and unable to visually acquire high altitude and high speed traffic on what were apparently intersecting flight paths in time to prevent an encounter with strong wake turbulence. ATC needs to do more than just give 'caution wake turbulence' advisories at high altitude and high airspeed situations. The flight crew was in a high task load situation and had very little opportunity to spot traffic that was outside visual range.
ERJ-190 flight crew reported a Flight Attendant was slightly injured climbing out of LGA as a result of a wake turbulence encounter with a B777.