[Blueflag]

Just so you know, the fact that the JAL 747 was ABOVE the A300 lends credence to the wake turbulence theory. The wing tip vortices / wake turbulence SINK (as a general rule) behind the flight path. Also, the 747 was likely climbing out on its deprture route, and would naturally leave a wake lower than its flying altitude. 4 miles at ~250KIAS is only what, (help me on the math, guys) 42 seconds separation? Ouch. It's tight airspace in NY, and being ~40 sec behind a true 'heavy' can shake your day. But it should NOT have ruined the airframe of a commercial jet.

[PogySailor]

I have read there was also about 3/4 NM horizonal separation between the two aircrafts ground tracks. See the RADAR track plot here:

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