Narrative:

While on the climb out; I checked on with center. I was radar identified and had been previously cleared to climb and maintain 9;000 feet. Passing through 5;000 feet; I began to experience some light to moderate turbulence. I inquired the controller if they had any pireps regarding the turbulence and was advised that moderate was reported between 7;000 and 9;000 feet. I advised the controller I would like to go back down to 5;000 feet as the turbulence was continuously moderate. At approximately 5;600 feet the turbulence was moderate to severe; I asked the controller for the lowest possible altitude in my area to escape it. I was told to stand by. I attempted to hold the aircraft at the assigned altitude of 5;000 feet; however I was unable to do so as the aircraft was experiencing severe turbulence and severe downdrafts were descending me below my assigned altitude. I was able to maintain a level altitude at 4;700 feet and the controller inquired about my altitude; I advised them of the moderate to severe turbulence and requested 4;000 feet. The rest of the flight continued without further incident.the controller was busy; however I was in need of assistance. Through my inquiry of the lowest possible altitude in the area; the controller should have known something was wrong. I was unable to hold the aircraft at the assigned altitude of 5;000 feet. My immediate concern was for my safety and that of my aircraft. Later on; the controller was very apologetic for not providing assistance to me when it was desperately required.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: SA227 pilot reported being unable to maintain altitude in severe turbulence and was unhappy with the level of support received from ATC.

Narrative: While on the climb out; I checked on with Center. I was radar identified and had been previously cleared to climb and maintain 9;000 feet. Passing through 5;000 feet; I began to experience some light to moderate turbulence. I inquired the Controller if they had any PIREPs regarding the turbulence and was advised that moderate was reported between 7;000 and 9;000 feet. I advised the Controller I would like to go back down to 5;000 feet as the turbulence was continuously moderate. At approximately 5;600 feet the turbulence was moderate to severe; I asked the Controller for the lowest possible altitude in my area to escape it. I was told to stand by. I attempted to hold the aircraft at the assigned altitude of 5;000 feet; however I was unable to do so as the aircraft was experiencing severe turbulence and severe downdrafts were descending me below my assigned altitude. I was able to maintain a level altitude at 4;700 feet and the Controller inquired about my altitude; I advised them of the moderate to severe turbulence and requested 4;000 feet. The rest of the flight continued without further incident.The Controller was busy; however I was in need of assistance. Through my inquiry of the lowest possible altitude in the area; the Controller should have known something was wrong. I was unable to hold the aircraft at the assigned altitude of 5;000 feet. My immediate concern was for my safety and that of my aircraft. Later on; the Controller was very apologetic for not providing assistance to me when it was desperately required.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site 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.