AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2018 - 98

P&E

NEVER AGAIN

Holding the airplane's altitude was
impossible, and the only thing to do
was try to keep the wings and nose level.

98 | 

thunderstorms around the Baltimore area,
diminishing as our proposed track continued to the northeast. Since the cells were
not along our route and reported to be
small, the decision was made to launch
the aircraft as scheduled and briefed. We
filed our instrument flight plan knowing
Baltimore Radar would keep us clear of
any weather. Like all pilots, we wanted to
be dependable and complete the mission,
and we were confident in our decision.
It was a dark, overcast night when we
accelerated down the runway passing V1
and VR. After takeoff and during the initial climb, Baltimore Radar identified us
but surprised us with a northwest heading. Radio traffic on the frequency was
extremely busy for a Friday night, and we

surmised we were being sent off course
temporarily because of inbound traffic
stacking up because of the weather.
Leveling at an assigned initial altitude
of 6,000 feet, we were told to maintain the
northwest heading for a few more minutes because of traffic and could expect
an on-course turn soon. It was night IMC,
and we began to experience rain with light
turbulence. The Stormscope was lighting
up like a Christmas tree, showing convective action ahead.
Light turbulence soon became moderate turbulence and was increasing
the longer the aircraft remained on the
assigned heading. Reducing to turbulence
penetration speed, we reported the turbulence and asked for a right turn, but ATC

did not acknowledge the call because of
constant radio communications.
Suddenly, we flew directly into an apparent full-blown thunderstorm. It was like
walking into a concrete wall in total darkness. We entered severe turbulence with
heavy rain pelting the airplane. We activated
our anti-ice system as well as our auto-ignition as required by procedures. Holding the
airplane's altitude was impossible, and the
only thing to do was try to keep the wings
and nose level. The airplane wanted to roll
uncontrollably left, then right. The recovery
from an unusual attitude by instruments at
night in severe turbulence would be a challenge. If the airplane were to go inverted,
it would be difficult to save, given our low
altitude.
The pounding wall of water and what
sounded like hail was so loud, the intercom
was useless. The co-pilot had to shout to talk,
but I could not hear what he or the communications radio were saying. Altitude excursions
could not be arrested. Losing and gaining altitude was like riding a roller coaster.

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AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2018

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of AOPA Pilot Magazine - August 2018
