Narrative:

Preflight planning indicated we should expect VFR weather; we enjoyed a smooth flight with steady headwinds paralleling the 4000 ft near the mountains at a cruise altitude of 6;500 MSL. We were 62 NM from our destination with ATC flight following and about to enter the arrival procedure for a GPS approach; watching two small weather cells approximately 10 NM north of our destination. The devils (two cells) were staggered traveling together west to east across our flight path at 27 KTS with tops respectively 430/280 and negative icing indicated. Approach confirmed that we were aware of the cells and suggested we consider passing in front of the first cell and behind the second to landing. I thanked the controller; advised that we would consider his suggestion and would report any course deviation. Two minutes later; after discussing that it would be irrational to pin ourselves between potentially dangerous cells while in a 30 ktheadwind; we deviated west from the arrival procedure to maintain 12-15 mi clearance behind the cells. When we were 34 NM from the field in sunny VFR conditions AWOS reporting light winds from the south-southwest; thunderstorm's in the vicinity and we had visual on our destination. We were about to commence our decent for VFR landing and I noticed a mist of precipitation on the windscreen. Then I heard what I initially thought was the patter of light rain and the absence of visible moisture on the windscreen... Within seconds I realized this was not mist on the windscreen or the sound of rain; it was hail! I took immediate action; aggressively banking right for a westerly heading and started a climb to 7000 ft MSL for the higher peaks expected in that direction. Within 10-11 seconds as we were leveling the wings from the turn and passing 6;800 ft MSL the terrifying sound of hail pounding the hull completely stopped just as quickly as it started and everything was suddenly calm; tranquil and eerily serene. A few basic maneuvers to test operational integrity of the aircraft and regain our composure we commenced a VFR decent and landed without further incident. Our post landing pre take-off ground inspection confirmed only paint surface damage had occurred with no sign of compromise to the exposed composite layer; structural surfaces and all mechanical operational checks were good.

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SR22 pilot reports encountering hail in VMC near a thunderstorm and taking evasive action; damage to paint was identified after landing.

Narrative: Preflight planning indicated we should expect VFR weather; we enjoyed a smooth flight with steady headwinds paralleling the 4000 FT near the mountains at a cruise altitude of 6;500 MSL. We were 62 NM from our destination with ATC flight following and about to enter the arrival procedure for a GPS approach; watching two small weather cells approximately 10 NM north of our destination. The devils (two cells) were staggered traveling together west to east across our flight path at 27 KTS with tops respectively 430/280 and negative icing indicated. Approach confirmed that we were aware of the cells and suggested we consider passing in front of the first cell and behind the second to landing. I thanked the Controller; advised that we would consider his suggestion and would report any course deviation. Two minutes later; after discussing that it would be irrational to pin ourselves between potentially dangerous cells while in a 30 KTheadwind; we deviated west from the arrival procedure to maintain 12-15 MI clearance behind the cells. When we were 34 NM from the field in sunny VFR conditions AWOS reporting light winds from the south-southwest; thunderstorm's in the vicinity and we had visual on our destination. We were about to commence our decent for VFR landing and I noticed a mist of precipitation on the windscreen. Then I heard what I initially thought was the patter of light rain and the absence of visible moisture on the windscreen... within seconds I realized this was not mist on the windscreen or the sound of rain; it was hail! I took immediate action; aggressively banking right for a westerly heading and started a climb to 7000 FT MSL for the higher peaks expected in that direction. Within 10-11 seconds as we were leveling the wings from the turn and passing 6;800 FT MSL the terrifying sound of hail pounding the hull completely stopped just as quickly as it started and everything was suddenly calm; tranquil and eerily serene. A few basic maneuvers to test operational integrity of the aircraft and regain our composure we commenced a VFR decent and landed without further incident. Our post landing pre take-off ground inspection confirmed only paint surface damage had occurred with no sign of compromise to the exposed composite layer; structural surfaces and all mechanical operational checks were good.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.