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An instructor and student flying VFR in a non-IFR equipped aircraft asked ATC for vectors to the RNAV GPS approach for runway 17R at cos and reported entering unexpected IMC in turbulence which made aircraft control difficult. ATC would not issue a clearance out of IMC so the instructor descended to VMC at 500 feet AGL.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1376849 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201607 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1801-2400 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | COS.Airport |
| State Reference | CO |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | IMC |
| Light | Night |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | Small Aircraft Low Wing 1 Eng Fixed Gear |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Initial Approach |
| Route In Use | Vectors |
| Flight Plan | VFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Compass (HSI/ETC) |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Private |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 175 Flight Crew Total 235 Flight Crew Type 55 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | ATC Issue All Types Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Clearance Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC |
Narrative:
While on approach to cos on VFR flight plan in VFR conditions; the metar reported 1;000 feet AGL few clouds and 5;000 feet AGL scattered layer. Upon checking in with cos we requested radar vectors for the RNAV Y GPS runway 17R approach. ATC placed us on a vector to begin our descent and stopped us at 9;500 feet. While abeam the field we entered IMC conditions with rain; severe turbulence; severe loss and gain of altitude. I instructed ATC that we needed to continue our descent to get below the clouds. There was traffic at our 1 o'clock called by TRACON but not in sight. We were then instructed to maintain VFR. The weather continued to build in severity; and I noticed 3;000 negative vsi. Our artificial horizon had tumbled. Our turn coordinator could not keep up. We were effectively flying partial panel in IMC in an aircraft that is not IFR rated. I instructed ATC that we were IMC and that I needed an immediate vector and altitude to break out of the clouds and severity of the weather. The ATC controller asked if I wanted a short range IFR which would have been illegal. I instructed him that I wanted a vector and he said to maintain VFR. The controller did nothing to help us out. The weather report was obviously wrong. He has the ability to see the cloud layer moving in and the weather on his radar screen and effectively vectored us into weather. Immediately previous to our descent; an air carrier was on approach and needed an instrument approach because they could not see the field; yet the controller vectored us; a VFR aircraft into the same area. When my copilot finally saw a break in the weather and could see the ground I made an immediate and forceful descent. We broke out of the clouds at 500 ft AGL. This was totally unacceptable as the weather report reported 1000 ft AGL few cloud layer. ATC effectively hung us out to dry. This could have ended in a fatal crash. I'm very upset as the PIC of this aircraft the service received by ATC.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: An instructor and student flying VFR in a non-IFR equipped aircraft asked ATC for vectors to the RNAV GPS approach for Runway 17R at COS and reported entering unexpected IMC in turbulence which made aircraft control difficult. ATC would not issue a clearance out of IMC so the instructor descended to VMC at 500 feet AGL.
Narrative: While on approach to COS on VFR flight plan in VFR conditions; the METAR reported 1;000 feet AGL few clouds and 5;000 feet AGL scattered layer. Upon checking in with COS we requested radar vectors for the RNAV Y GPS Runway 17R approach. ATC placed us on a vector to begin our descent and stopped us at 9;500 feet. While abeam the field we entered IMC conditions with rain; severe turbulence; severe loss and gain of altitude. I instructed ATC that we needed to continue our descent to get below the clouds. There was traffic at our 1 o'clock called by TRACON but not in sight. We were then instructed to maintain VFR. The weather continued to build in severity; and I noticed 3;000 negative VSI. Our artificial horizon had tumbled. Our turn coordinator could not keep up. We were effectively flying partial panel in IMC in an aircraft that is NOT IFR rated. I instructed ATC that we were IMC and that I needed an immediate vector and altitude to break out of the clouds and severity of the weather. The ATC controller asked if I wanted a short range IFR which would have been illegal. I instructed him that I wanted a vector and he said to maintain VFR. The controller did NOTHING to help us out. The weather report was obviously wrong. He has the ability to see the cloud layer moving in and the weather on his radar screen and effectively vectored us into weather. Immediately previous to our descent; an air carrier was on approach and needed an instrument approach because they could not see the field; yet the controller vectored us; a VFR aircraft into the same area. When my copilot finally saw a break in the weather and could see the ground I made an immediate and forceful descent. We broke out of the clouds at 500 FT AGL. This was totally unacceptable as the weather report reported 1000 ft AGL few cloud layer. ATC effectively hung us out to dry. This could have ended in a fatal crash. I'm very upset as the PIC of this aircraft the service received by ATC.
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.