Narrative:

A deep low pressure had strong south surface winds that were to switch to the north and diminish with the passage of a cold front. No convective weather or storms associated with the cold front. Front passed and winds switched to the north but were strong. We departed a mid continent airport enroute to a not too distant destination at 7;000 MSL. [I] descended to 6;000 MSL to avoid continuous moderate turbulence. Encountered moderate to extreme turbulence; but had the city lights of an enroute city on the horizon and was able to maintain control. Surface winds were from the north at my location; but were out of the south at the nearby city. After 10 minutes of turbulence the ride was very smooth; and I remarked to my wife that we had passed through the front; that the worst was over and would be in our destination in 50 minutes. After several minutes of smooth flying all hell broke loose -- increase in altitude and airspeed; then loss of both; some roll but a lot of yaw. Now I was over rural farmland; no lights; no moon; both hands on control wheel trying to recover using flight instruments. Very weird ride; not typical turbulence; but a lot of shear; it was as bad as I've ever had and I'm wondering how much more I can take. I call center and ask 'do you have anyone else out here tonight other than me?' and the controller responds 'no; you're the only one'. At this time I tell the controller I'm having a hard time controlling the aircraft and want to divert to the nearby city. He asks if I need an emergency and I decline. He asks if I want to change my destination; and I decline. He asks again about changing my destination and I take the hint. He immediately gives the latest weather and location of the airport. I'm using both hands to control the plane; can't grab a chart; keep turning the knob too far on the garmin 530; so I ask for the field elevation; which the controller gave. I canceled after I had the field made; as the turbulence was just moderate below 1;500 AGL. Normal landing was made. This was not a life or death flight mission; however I thought at first I was just being a chicken by not sticking it out as it was only turbulence. Was the hazardous 'macho' attitude sneaking up on me? It had been a long day; followed by a night flight; because I 'have to' get my son to a contest (we were able to rent a car and continue). Had I underestimated the low; the cold front; or was I justifying the forecast to make it work for me? What did I do right? I recognized the flight conditions were way bad. I'm close to an airport (not like I was over the ocean and had no other choice) so why not land; and sort it out on the ground. I had filed an IFR fight plan; was on radar and talking to center; and used their help. Admit you're in trouble. Don't pass up a good airport. And use help; especially when it's offered.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A C182 pilot diverted to an enroute airport after encountering severe turbulence at 6;000 FT on a night VMC flight between plains states destinations.

Narrative: A deep low pressure had strong south surface winds that were to switch to the north and diminish with the passage of a cold front. No convective weather or storms associated with the cold front. Front passed and winds switched to the north but were strong. We departed a mid continent airport enroute to a not too distant destination at 7;000 MSL. [I] descended to 6;000 MSL to avoid continuous moderate turbulence. Encountered moderate to extreme turbulence; but had the city lights of an enroute city on the horizon and was able to maintain control. Surface winds were from the north at my location; but were out of the south at the nearby city. After 10 minutes of turbulence the ride was very smooth; and I remarked to my wife that we had passed through the front; that the worst was over and would be in our destination in 50 minutes. After several minutes of smooth flying all hell broke loose -- increase in altitude and airspeed; then loss of both; some roll but a lot of yaw. Now I was over rural farmland; no lights; no moon; both hands on control wheel trying to recover using flight instruments. Very weird ride; not typical turbulence; but a lot of shear; it was as bad as I've ever had and I'm wondering how much more I can take. I call Center and ask 'do you have anyone else out here tonight other than me?' and the Controller responds 'no; you're the only one'. At this time I tell the Controller I'm having a hard time controlling the aircraft and want to divert to the nearby city. He asks if I need an emergency and I decline. He asks if I want to change my destination; and I decline. He asks again about changing my destination and I take the hint. He immediately gives the latest weather and location of the airport. I'm using both hands to control the plane; can't grab a chart; keep turning the knob too far on the Garmin 530; so I ask for the field elevation; which the Controller gave. I canceled after I had the field made; as the turbulence was just moderate below 1;500 AGL. Normal landing was made. This was not a life or death flight mission; however I thought at first I was just being a chicken by not sticking it out as it was only turbulence. Was the hazardous 'Macho' attitude sneaking up on me? It had been a long day; followed by a night flight; because I 'have to' get my son to a contest (we were able to rent a car and continue). Had I underestimated the Low; the Cold Front; or was I justifying the forecast to make it work for me? What did I do right? I recognized the flight conditions were way bad. I'm close to an airport (not like I was over the ocean and had no other choice) so why not land; and sort it out on the ground. I had filed an IFR fight plan; was on radar and talking to Center; and used their help. Admit you're in trouble. Don't pass up a good airport. And use help; especially when it's offered.

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.