A lear flight crew reported altitude excursions in thunderstorm area near vhp.

Attributes
ACN	443676
Time
Date	199907
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	navaid : vhp.vor
State Reference	IN
Altitude	msl single value : 35000
Environment
Flight Conditions	IMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zid.artcc
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	Learjet 35
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 135
Navigation In Use	other vortac
Flight Phase	cruise : level
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : captain oversight : pic
Qualification	pilot : atp
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 150 flight time total : 3300 flight time type : 700
ASRS Report	443676
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : instrument pilot : multi engine pilot : commercial
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude inflight encounter : turbulence inflight encounter : weather
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	flight crew : returned to assigned altitude
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Environmental Factor
Primary Problem	Weather
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

In IMC. WX radar indicated thunderstorm ahead. Deviated left of course but still entered unexpected moderate turbulence, lightning around, though no strikes. Lost 700 ft in altitude at worst, but fluctuated +/-500 ft for 2 or 3 mins.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A LEAR FLC RPTED ALT EXCURSIONS IN TSTM AREA NEAR VHP.

Narrative: IN IMC. WX RADAR INDICATED TSTM AHEAD. DEVIATED L OF COURSE BUT STILL ENTERED UNEXPECTED MODERATE TURB, LIGHTNING AROUND, THOUGH NO STRIKES. LOST 700 FT IN ALT AT WORST, BUT FLUCTUATED +/-500 FT FOR 2 OR 3 MINS.

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.