GA small aircraft encounters WX conditions beyond the ability of the pilot or aircraft. Alr excursio...

Attributes
ACN	155662
Time
Date	199008
Day	Thu
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : vld
State Reference	GA
Altitude	msl bound lower : 5500 msl bound upper : 6000
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : vld
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft, Low Wing, 1 Eng, Fixed Gear
Flight Phase	cruise other
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : private pilot : instrument
ASRS Report	155662
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : approach
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude inflight encounter : weather non adherence : clearance other anomaly
Independent Detector	other controllera other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	controller : issued new clearance flight crew : regained aircraft control other
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Weather
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

I was flying an small aircraft on an IFR flight plan from gainesville, fl to 9a7. While in vld approach airspace over valdosta, GA, I encountered IMC conditions. I asked the approach controller for vectors around any thunderstorm buildups on my route. I was informed that the airspace I was in didn't have the necessary equipment to offer any suggestions for deviations, but to deviate as necessary. At 1 point during the flight I encountered uncontrollable downdrafts. As I again contacted the vld approach controller, I made him aware of my flight conditions and the controller gave me clearance to continue my descend and maintain 4000' MSL. There was no more discussion about the incident between the controller and myself. West/O WX radar on the ground or in the aircraft I don't think that the incident could have been prevented due to the nature of the WX.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: GA SMA ENCOUNTERS WX CONDITIONS BEYOND THE ABILITY OF THE PLT OR ACFT. ALR EXCURSION IS THE RESULT.

Narrative: I WAS FLYING AN SMA ON AN IFR FLT PLAN FROM GAINESVILLE, FL TO 9A7. WHILE IN VLD APCH AIRSPACE OVER VALDOSTA, GA, I ENCOUNTERED IMC CONDITIONS. I ASKED THE APCH CTLR FOR VECTORS AROUND ANY TSTM BUILDUPS ON MY RTE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIRSPACE I WAS IN DIDN'T HAVE THE NECESSARY EQUIP TO OFFER ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR DEVIATIONS, BUT TO DEVIATE AS NECESSARY. AT 1 POINT DURING THE FLT I ENCOUNTERED UNCONTROLLABLE DOWNDRAFTS. AS I AGAIN CONTACTED THE VLD APCH CTLR, I MADE HIM AWARE OF MY FLT CONDITIONS AND THE CTLR GAVE ME CLRNC TO CONTINUE MY DSND AND MAINTAIN 4000' MSL. THERE WAS NO MORE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE INCIDENT BTWN THE CTLR AND MYSELF. W/O WX RADAR ON THE GND OR IN THE ACFT I DON'T THINK THAT THE INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE WX.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 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.

GA small aircraft encounters WX conditions beyond the ability of the pilot or aircraft. Alr excursion is the result.