On July 2, at about 10 AM local time, a Baron 58 was flying from Tampa to Memphis. The weather at Memphis consisted of scattered clouds at 3200 feet and a broken layer at 3800 feet. The visibility was 10 miles and the wind was from 290 degrees at 5 kts. As the Baron entered the Memphis terminal area, an EMB ERJ 145 regional jet was also in the area and on the approach to Memphis. The regional jet was to land on Runway 36 Center and the Baron was to land on Runway 36 Right.

The Baron pilot was given a vector to intercept the Runway 36R localizer and was told that he would be following an EMB ERJ 145 and that he would be four miles in trail. He was also given the warning, “Caution wake turbulence.”

The Baron pilot was cleared to land on runway 36R by the tower and again told, “Caution wake turbulence.”

The pilot apparently disregarded the two warnings of possible wake turbulence which were provided by approach control and the control tower. The deadly wake was blown by the light wind across the approach end of Runway 36R.

According to witnesses, the Baron’s approach appeared to be completely normal until it descended to an altitude of about 15 feet.

Suddenly and apparently without warning, the airplane began a sharp roll to the left.

The airplane came to rest left of the runway on it’s back.

How could this have been avoided? The pilots failure to respect the power of wake turbulence is the primary cause.

How can we avoid wake turbulence?

One Takeoff

Rotate before the preceding planes point of rotation and stay above that aircrafts glide path.

On Landing

Stay above that airplanes glide path and land beyond that airplanes touchdown point.

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