Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Inflight Event / Encounter Wake Vortex Encounter
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Environment - Non Weather Related
This is a report of a wake turbulence encounter at 10;000 FT during arrival into LAX near the SMO VOR. Shortly after leveling at 10;000 FT and slowing per ATC request; I encountered wake turbulence from a preceding aircraft. TCAS placed the aircraft at our 12:00 and about 10 miles. Initially; the wake encounter was very mild with only slow rolling left and right. When it persisted; I slowed my airspeed 10-15 KTS and requested a climb. Very soon the encounter worsened and I disconnected the autopilot when faced with 30 degrees of bank left and right with large control inputs required to maintain level flight. A second request for a climb was made when positive aircraft control began to deteriorate. Altitude control required a power increase to maintain altitude. I advised ATC that I was climbing to get out of a wake turbulence encounter. At about 10;300 FT; positive control resumed and I leveled off at 10;500 FT. I advised ATC that I was resuming a descent back to 10;000 FT when they provided a right vector away from my previous track. I was then advised by ATC that I was following a B777. Winds at altitude were calm. This may have had an impact on wake dissipation.
At level flight; experienced moderate to severe aircraft roll from a preceding heavy B777; resulting in a rapid roll to 30 degrees. The Captain required almost full control deflection to stop the aircraft from rolling. The B777 was about 7-8 miles in front of us and descending.
Q400 flight crew reported encountering wake vortex following a B777 into LAX that resulted in significant roll. Captain deviated from assigned altitude to assure control.