Bill:

I don't know much, but I fly in/out of the Honolulu Class B several
times a week in a Bonanza and the tower has told me many times
(apologetically) that there is a 3 minute mandatory wait after a heavy
takes off. I have NEVER had a tower controller give me the choice to
take off within that window. I believe it was the Vegas tower's
responsibility NOT to put you on that runway unless he was able to give
you the 3 minutes there. I think you should talk to the FAA and ask for
the tapes. You may get your plane fixed for free.

I know you are glad to be alive, but I don't see how this is either
pilot error or mechanical failure. You have no way of knowing what the
FAA and the tower knows about turbulence from heavies at a given
airport. It is their responsibility to ensure the runway environment
they control is safe within reasonable bounds. A pilot cannot be
expected to know when it is safe to takeoff into vortex turbulence in a
Class B, since there are often multiple landings & departures, sometimes
from crossing runways. This is the situation at HNL daily. "Caution wake
turbulence" is heard on over 50% of my flights, and I get the 3 minute
delay about once a week.

Brian Barbata
LIV-PT 110%