Narrative:

While flying home at night; about 1;000 under the forecast cloud layer; I suddenly lost all visual contact with lights on the ground. I checked my wing tips; and saw my strobes reflecting off of clouds; and realized I had flown into an unforeseen low-hanging cloud. It suddenly started raining very hard; and I was hit with severe turbulence. I reduced power to reduce airspeed (I was traveling at 120 KIAS) down to about 90 KIAS. My vsi was going up and down between 1;500 FPM climbs and 1;500 FPM descents; and I could barely maintain control of the aircraft. My altitude was going up and down; as high as 6;000 MSL down to 2;000 MSL. The aircraft was also yawing wildly from left to right.I contacted ATC and reported that I had inadvertently flown into hard IMC and could barely maintain control. I asked for vectors out; but they reported that their weather radar was down for the area. They asked if I wanted an IFR clearance; and if my aircraft was IFR certified and if I was instrument rated. I reported that my aircraft was IFR certified and that I was instrument trained; but not yet rated. (Have yet to take my checkride.) I again stressed that I just needed a direction out; but in retrospect; I doubt I could have safely made any type of turn. ATC began reporting bearings and distances to nearby airports; as well as their weather conditions. But then; I began to see ground lights breaking through the cloud below me; and a minute later; I was in the clear.I was at 3;500 MSL and descended down to 3;000. ATC asked if I needed to land; but after checking everything it appeared that my aircraft was still in proper operating condition. ATC checked with nearby towers along my route; and determined that conditions were clear along my course ahead. Since I was only about 40 NM from my destination; and they were reporting clear skies and only an 11 knot crosswind; I opted to continue. The rest of the flight completed without incident; and the aircraft received no damage. I had checked the weather at every single airport along and near my route prior to departure; and all had reported ceilings of 5;000 to 6;000 broken. I chose to stay under the layer for fear of getting stuck on top. In retrospect I should have departed earlier; to avoid flying under the layer at night; or better yet; stayed another night and come home the next morning.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: PA28 pilot reported difficulty controlling the aircraft after inadvertently encountering heavy rain and severe turbulence on a VFR night flight.

Narrative: While flying home at night; about 1;000 under the forecast cloud layer; I suddenly lost all visual contact with lights on the ground. I checked my wing tips; and saw my strobes reflecting off of clouds; and realized I had flown into an unforeseen low-hanging cloud. It suddenly started raining very hard; and I was hit with severe turbulence. I reduced power to reduce airspeed (I was traveling at 120 KIAS) down to about 90 KIAS. My VSI was going up and down between 1;500 FPM climbs and 1;500 FPM descents; and I could barely maintain control of the aircraft. My altitude was going up and down; as high as 6;000 MSL down to 2;000 MSL. The aircraft was also yawing wildly from left to right.I contacted ATC and reported that I had inadvertently flown into hard IMC and could barely maintain control. I asked for vectors out; but they reported that their weather radar was down for the area. They asked if I wanted an IFR clearance; and if my aircraft was IFR certified and if I was instrument rated. I reported that my aircraft was IFR certified and that I was instrument trained; but not yet rated. (Have yet to take my checkride.) I again stressed that I just needed a direction out; but in retrospect; I doubt I could have safely made any type of turn. ATC began reporting bearings and distances to nearby airports; as well as their weather conditions. But then; I began to see ground lights breaking through the cloud below me; and a minute later; I was in the clear.I was at 3;500 MSL and descended down to 3;000. ATC asked if I needed to land; but after checking everything it appeared that my aircraft was still in proper operating condition. ATC checked with nearby towers along my route; and determined that conditions were clear along my course ahead. Since I was only about 40 NM from my destination; and they were reporting clear skies and only an 11 knot crosswind; I opted to continue. The rest of the flight completed without incident; and the aircraft received no damage. I had checked the weather at every single airport along and near my route prior to departure; and all had reported ceilings of 5;000 to 6;000 broken. I chose to stay under the layer for fear of getting stuck on top. In retrospect I should have departed earlier; to avoid flying under the layer at night; or better yet; stayed another night and come home the next morning.

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.