A GA small transport pilot descends into a thunderstorm while complying with a clearance to cross un...

Attributes
ACN	348430
Time
Date	199609
Day	Thu
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : asp
State Reference	MI
Altitude	msl bound lower : 19000 msl bound upper : 20000
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zmp
Operator	general aviation : personal
Make Model Name	Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Navigation In Use	Other Other
Flight Phase	descent other
Route In Use	enroute : direct
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	Other
Function	flight crew : single pilot
Qualification	pilot : private pilot : instrument
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 60 flight time total : 2000 flight time type : 800
ASRS Report	348430
Person 2
Affiliation	government : faa
Function	controller : radar
Qualification	controller : radar
Events
Anomaly	inflight encounter : weather
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	flight crew : exited adverse environment
Consequence	Other
Supplementary
Primary Problem	Weather
Air Traffic Incident	other

Narrative:

While en route from cyow to grb via yvv, apn direct grb, after yvv I asked for direct asp to avoid significant WX. I was given direct asp by the canadian controller. Just prior to being handed off to minneapolis the canadian controller asked me to descend to FL190 for active military airspace (pike east MOA) I confirmed his instruction and checked on with minneapolis at FL200. The controller asked if I had been given FL190. I said that I had, and was at that point out of FL200 for FL190. The controller was very busy and I wanted to ask him if I could remain at FL200 for at least 5 more mi to avoid buildups which were directly below. From the tone of his voice I felt I had better begin descent immediately. I did so directly into the top of a buildup. The plane was immediately covered with ice. In addition I encountered severe turbulence for about 45 seconds. I then broke out in the clear and completed the flight without further incident. When instructed to descend to FL190 I should have immediately asked for a turn to 180 degrees and then descended across the thunderstorm line when an opening permitted.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A GA SMT PLT DSNDS INTO A TSTM WHILE COMPLYING WITH A CLRNC TO CROSS UNDER AN ACTIVE MOA AND ENCOUNTERS SEVERE TURB.

Narrative: WHILE ENRTE FROM CYOW TO GRB VIA YVV, APN DIRECT GRB, AFTER YVV I ASKED FOR DIRECT ASP TO AVOID SIGNIFICANT WX. I WAS GIVEN DIRECT ASP BY THE CANADIAN CTLR. JUST PRIOR TO BEING HANDED OFF TO MINNEAPOLIS THE CANADIAN CTLR ASKED ME TO DSND TO FL190 FOR ACTIVE MIL AIRSPACE (PIKE E MOA) I CONFIRMED HIS INSTRUCTION AND CHKED ON WITH MINNEAPOLIS AT FL200. THE CTLR ASKED IF I HAD BEEN GIVEN FL190. I SAID THAT I HAD, AND WAS AT THAT POINT OUT OF FL200 FOR FL190. THE CTLR WAS VERY BUSY AND I WANTED TO ASK HIM IF I COULD REMAIN AT FL200 FOR AT LEAST 5 MORE MI TO AVOID BUILDUPS WHICH WERE DIRECTLY BELOW. FROM THE TONE OF HIS VOICE I FELT I HAD BETTER BEGIN DSCNT IMMEDIATELY. I DID SO DIRECTLY INTO THE TOP OF A BUILDUP. THE PLANE WAS IMMEDIATELY COVERED WITH ICE. IN ADDITION I ENCOUNTERED SEVERE TURB FOR ABOUT 45 SECONDS. I THEN BROKE OUT IN THE CLR AND COMPLETED THE FLT WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. WHEN INSTRUCTED TO DSND TO FL190 I SHOULD HAVE IMMEDIATELY ASKED FOR A TURN TO 180 DEGS AND THEN DSNDED ACROSS THE TSTM LINE WHEN AN OPENING PERMITTED.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2007 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.

A GA small transport pilot descends into a thunderstorm while complying with a clearance to cross under an active MOA and encounters severe turbulence.