The pilot of a liberty XL2 encountered turbulence in instrument conditions that caused a momentary l...

Attributes
ACN	1129735
Time
Date	201311
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	VNY.Airport
State Reference	CA
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft Low Wing 1 Eng Fixed Gear
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Descent
Route In Use	Vectors
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Pilot Flying Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP) Flight Crew Multiengine Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Flight Engineer
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100 Flight Crew Total 7000 Flight Crew Type 9
Events
Anomaly	Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude Deviation - Procedural Clearance Deviation - Track / Heading All Types Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence

Narrative:

I was assigned 6;000 ft and a heading to intercept the ILS. I entered solid IFR conditions; zero visibility; heavy moisture - possibly rain and significant turbulence. While I was on heading before intercept; more turbulence was encountered; the left wing dropped; skewing the heading to the left and causing a rapid descent. Full right aileron and full power were required to get the wings level and arrest the descent. Once the wings were level a climb was possible back to assigned altitude. Once back on course and close to ILS intercept; turbulence lessened and a constant descent on the glideslope was possible. On the preceding trip; lighter continuous turbulence made asking for deviations +/- 200 to 300 feet necessary. It is possible that [a change in] course would have been more clear of weather and turbulence. Pilot unfamiliarity with a smaller plane and its handling characteristics and performance capabilities in adverse weather was a factor. More experience in aircraft will reveal more of its capabilities and limits. Lowering of the acceptable weather threshold until the prior is more fully understood would mitigate any further occurrences.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: The pilot of a Liberty XL2 encountered turbulence in instrument conditions that caused a momentary loss of control. He was able to apply full power and flight control inputs to regain control and return on course.

Narrative: I was assigned 6;000 FT and a heading to intercept the ILS. I entered solid IFR conditions; zero visibility; heavy moisture - possibly rain and significant turbulence. While I was on heading before intercept; more turbulence was encountered; the left wing dropped; skewing the heading to the left and causing a rapid descent. Full right aileron and full power were required to get the wings level and arrest the descent. Once the wings were level a climb was possible back to assigned altitude. Once back on course and close to ILS intercept; turbulence lessened and a constant descent on the glideslope was possible. On the preceding trip; lighter continuous turbulence made asking for deviations +/- 200 to 300 feet necessary. It is possible that [a change in] course would have been more clear of weather and turbulence. Pilot unfamiliarity with a smaller plane and its handling characteristics and performance capabilities in adverse weather was a factor. More experience in aircraft will reveal more of its capabilities and limits. Lowering of the acceptable weather threshold until the prior is more fully understood would mitigate any further occurrences.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 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.

The pilot of a liberty XL2 encountered turbulence in instrument conditions that caused a momentary loss of control. He was able to apply full power and flight control inputs to regain control and return on course.