How To: Use safety precautions and techniques to avoid wake turbulence in aircrafts

In 1998, a Beechcraft Baron was following a Boeing 757, with approximately 3 to 5 miles separation. Air Traffic Control warned the Baron pilot three times with the phrase the phrase pilots hear on a regular basis: "Caution. Wake Turbulence".

The Boeing 757 made a standard touchdown, about 1000 feet down the runway. While the Baron remained high during the approach, the pilot attempted a steep, short final approach to land about 700 feet down the runway. The aircraft experienced wake turbulence, immediately rolled 90 degrees and… crashed.

And it could have been prevented.

This video safety bulletin is designed to give aerospace students and instructors the latest information regarding issues that are deemed safety sensitive which directly relate to UND Aerospace Flight Operations. To address the arrival of the 757 to the Fed-Ex route into Grand Forks, ND, this AeroCast Safety Bulletin is designed to refresh the pilot's knowledge of the principles of wake turbulence and effective wake turbulence avoidance. UND CFI Anthony Bottini lays out the necessary steps for avoiding a wake turbulence encounter and for recovering from an inadvertent one.