A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 160; Flight Crew Type 4185
ATC Issue All Types; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
While at FL320 in completely smooth air we encountered a jolt of moderate turbulence lasting approximately 2 seconds. This was followed by another jolt of turbulence lasting 2-3 seconds that was moderate to more than moderate; but not fitting of the definition of severe in intensity (FOM); and about 3-5 seconds after the first encounter. In our vicinity an airplane had just passed in front and above us and was abeam our aircraft when the turbulence was encountered. I immediately suspected a wake encounter. This occurred about 100 miles south-southeast of BIL. We asked ATC what kind of aircraft it was and he said his designation was a Heavy Airbus A300. A flight attendant in the rear of the aircraft reported bumping her head. No other injuries to passengers and crew.
At FL320; prior to top of descent; we flew underneath a heavy Airbus 300; with no warning from ATC and the airplane dropped and rolled aggressively. We immediately put the fasten seatbelt sign on and checked in with the flight attendants. One flight attendant said she hit her head on the bathroom door.
A319 flight crew reported an 'aggressive' roll resulted after encountering wake turbulence at FL320 from a crossing A300. A Flight Attendant hit her head during the encounter.