Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 8; Flight Crew Total 1415; Flight Crew Type 15
Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
I was on crosswind for landing on runway 21 at Simsbury Airport (4B9) at 1200 ft MSL; my heading approximately 120 degrees. I was monitoring/talking on the airport frequency of 122.7. My position was about overhead of the departure end of runway 21. Just as I was about to turn onto downwind; a 737 suddenly appeared to my right. It was on a heading approximately parallel to my flight path; probably on a left downwind for runway 6 at BDL. I estimate it was 800 ft above me and about 1000 ft to my right. He was in landing configuration; with flaps and gear down. Due to his much greater airspeed; he quickly passed me. I was then suddenly struck by three separate 'hits' of wake turbulence; probably two seconds apart. The first rolled me to the left; well past 90 degrees of roll. Best guess would be 120 degrees. I was headed towards being full inverted; but was able to right the aircraft. I was immediately hit again and rolled about 90 degrees to the right. Again; I righted myself. Then came a hit as if from above: the aircraft was slammed downward; and I hit my head on the canopy even though wearing a shoulder harness; my headset was ripped off; and charts and other materials were blown around the cockpit.I have been based at 4B9 for [decades]. I have never seen an airliner vectored anywhere this close to our traffic pattern. I can only assume that the 737 was being vectored by BDL ATC. If this happens again; an aircraft in the pattern at 4B9 would be helpless to avoid wake turbulence. The approaching airliner would not be visible until the last moment; so evasive action would be virtually impossible. The light aircraft in the 4B9 traffic pattern would be in a highly vulnerable low-and-slow position. This incident could have been avoided if ATC had simply vectored the 737 south of 4B9; or via the BDL ILS 6 approach path; as usual.
Reporter emphasized the severity of the incident and would like to see changes in procedures to enhance safety.
General aviation pilot in the pattern at 4B9 reported a loss of control after a wake turbulence encounter with a B737 inbound to BDL.