THE INCIDENT About two hours into the flight, QF94 goes into a 10-second nosedive, believed to have been caused by wake turbulence from QF12

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Airflow

Onewingspan

high

Two wingspanswide

QF94 takes off from Los Angeles bound for Melbourne at 11.29pm on Sunday (US time), shortly after QF12

USAF

WAKETURBULENCE

Flares show the wake vortex effect from a C-130J Hercules

The pilots are able to right the plane, averting disaster.QF94 lands safely in Melbourne at 8am on Tuesday

QF12 takes off, bound for Sydneyat 11.27pm on Sunday (US time)

Every plane generates wake turbulence while

in flight as a by-product of lift

creation.

The wake consists of two counter-rotating

cylindrical vortices, the strength of which is

governed by the weight, speed and wing shape

of the generating aircraft.

The main hazard of a wake turbulence

encounter is induced roll, while structural

damage is also possible.