Date: 202105
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: ZZZ.ARTCC, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: Turbulence
Aircraft: B767 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Climb
Airspace: Class A ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Captain; Pilot Flying
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Human factors: Distraction; Situational Awareness; Workload
Second reporter function: First Officer; Pilot Not Flying
Anomaly: Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Contributing factors: Weather
Primary problem: Weather

Narrative: Severe turbulence encounter on climb after departing.  We conducted a full and normal briefing in operations prior to the flight. During that briefing we identified a threat of possible turbulence around 20;000 feet based on a PIREP. Upon arriving at the plane; I briefed the lead Flight Attendant. That briefing included a discussion on turbulence. I directed that the Flight Attendants stay seated for the departure until I call. Ground operations through takeoff and climbout were normal and uneventful. Departure cleared us to 17;000 feet. We leveled there awaiting hand off to Center and were in light turbulence. After a short delay we were cleared to climb to approximately 25;000 feet and to contact Center. I initiated the climb via VNAV. Almost immediately we encountered severe turbulence. The airspeed was fluctuating and the plane banked +-25 AOB (Angle of Bank). The autopilot remained engaged and made appropriate corrections. However; I put my hands on the controls in anticipation of needing to take control. The ride was so violent that my First Officer could not get his hands on the radio knob to change frequencies. By 18;000 feet the ride eased to moderate turbulence. When I deemed it safe; I then picked up the PA and asked 'Flight Attendants check in.' They checked the cabin and reported all passenger; crew and plane were safe. The First Officer made the check in with Center; reported the severe turbulence.At an appropriate time; I notified dispatch of the event. He published our PIREP. Later we submitted the log entry for maintenance. Further down line ZZZ1 Station was notified and I discussed with them an appropriate response upon landing. The remainder of the flight was uneventful; not even a ripple of turbulence. Once blocked in and checklists completed; I greeted passengers in case any were still concerned. They all seemed very appreciative; and thankful. Many even commented on the smooth landing and offered thanks for a safe trip. Customer Service; Maintenance and Flight Operations and met us at the gate. I provided full debriefs to each. The flight operations manager said we did a great job but also advised we submit a safety report. I want to offer that I believe the system; Standard Operating Procedures; and tools made available work. While I could not foresee the severity of the turbulence that awaited us; we knew a rough ride would be encountered in that area and took precaution. The result was no injuries to crew or passengers or damage to the plane. I offer this report mostly to help improve the system. And I am happy to answer any questions if necessary.


Second narrative: WSI (Weather Service International) indicated a narrow band of turbulence on our route from roughly 17;000 to 20;000 feet due to shear below a jet stream.  Larger jets reported moderate (PIREP symbols) turbulence on WSI so the Captain had the flight attendants remain seated after takeoff until we called them.  At the time of the event the seat belt sign was ON and everyone on the plane was seated.  As we climbed through 17;000 feet the turbulence worsened from moderate to severe.  Large and rapid airspeed deviations of +/- 25 knots and sharp rolling moments of roughly 25 to 30 degrees occurred for roughly 2 minutes; all estimates.  As Pilot Monitoring it took me awhile to tune the ATC radios for a frequency change as I couldn't grab the tuning knobs in the turbulence.  I believe ATC instructed us to climb from 17;000 to 19;000 feet and that put us into the worst of the turbulence.  Once we were cleared to climb higher (above 19;000 feet) the ride improved quickly.  I believe a hand off from TRACON to Center caused much of the delay but I am not certain.Again; the seat belt sign was on and all flight attendants were seated per the briefing.  No injuries and no damage.  We did not make the 'be seated immediately' announcements as everyone was still seated since takeoff.  We were focused on getting a higher altitude and a better ride. Once we were clear of the turbulence we asked the flight attendants to 'check in' per our turbulence training.  We filed a PIREP with ATC and notified Dispatch.


Synopsis: B767 flight crew reported encountering severe turbulence and temporary loss of control.