Narrative:

While in the approach phase of flight on the BLUZZ1 RNAV arrival into mem; ATC advised us we were 5 miles in trail of a heavy. While descending near clark at 8800 ft and 210 KIAS; we encountered moderate/severe wake turbulence associated with the [wide body transport] and a light left quartering headwind. Our aircraft abruptly rolled right approximately 45-60 degrees; autopilot disconnected and stall warbler was activated. I immediately took the controls; regained control of the aircraft; applied full thrust; and initiated a climbing right turn to approximately 10;000 ft. I immediately advised ATC I was recovering from the wake turbulence and in a climbing right turn to avoid further encounters. ATC gave us a turn to offset the course of the [wide body transport] and a descent to remain above the preceding aircraft. Once stable; I called the flight attendant to make sure she and all passengers were unharmed. We remained above the path of the [wide body transport] for the duration of the flight and landed with no further instances. [Suggest] greater distance for heavy in trail aircraft.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CRJ-200 Captain reported encountering moderate to severe wake turbulence in trail of a widebody transport on arrival into MEM.

Narrative: While in the approach phase of flight on the BLUZZ1 RNAV arrival into MEM; ATC advised us we were 5 miles in trail of a heavy. While descending near CLARK at 8800 ft and 210 KIAS; we encountered moderate/severe wake turbulence associated with the [wide body transport] and a light left quartering headwind. Our aircraft abruptly rolled right approximately 45-60 degrees; autopilot disconnected and stall warbler was activated. I immediately took the controls; regained control of the aircraft; applied full thrust; and initiated a climbing right turn to approximately 10;000 ft. I immediately advised ATC I was recovering from the wake turbulence and in a climbing right turn to avoid further encounters. ATC gave us a turn to offset the course of the [wide body transport] and a descent to remain above the preceding aircraft. Once stable; I called the flight attendant to make sure she and all passengers were unharmed. We remained above the path of the [wide body transport] for the duration of the flight and landed with no further instances. [Suggest] greater distance for heavy in trail aircraft.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.