Flight crew of B737 is unable to maintain assigned altitude during turbulence encounter.

Attributes
ACN	622247
Time
Date	200304
Day	Thu
Local Time Of Day	1201 To 1800
Place
Locale Reference	atc facility : zhu.artcc
State Reference	TX
Altitude	msl bound lower : 19000 msl bound upper : 20000
Environment
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	artcc : zhu.artcc
Operator	common carrier : air carrier
Make Model Name	B737 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
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 : 210 flight time total : 17000 flight time type : 6000
ASRS Report	622247
Person 2
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Events
Anomaly	altitude deviation : excursion from assigned altitude inflight encounter : turbulence non adherence : clearance non adherence : company policies non adherence : far other anomaly
Independent Detector	other flight crewa other flight crewb
Resolutory Action	flight crew : regained aircraft control flight crew : returned to assigned altitude flight crew : overrode automation
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Weather Flight Crew Human Performance Environmental Factor Aircraft
Primary Problem	Weather
Air Traffic Incident	Pilot Deviation

Narrative:

Just after leveloff FL190, we experienced turbulence of a moderate nature. The first officer disconnected the autoplt and maneuvered the aircraft manually to avoid further upset. We exceeded assigned altitude (FL190) by 1000 ft. We maneuvered to avoid other cloud tops and minimize hazards to crew and other passenger. The aircraft was returned to assigned altitude without further incident or injury.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: FLT CREW OF B737 IS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ASSIGNED ALT DURING TURB ENCOUNTER.

Narrative: JUST AFTER LEVELOFF FL190, WE EXPERIENCED TURB OF A MODERATE NATURE. THE FO DISCONNECTED THE AUTOPLT AND MANEUVERED THE ACFT MANUALLY TO AVOID FURTHER UPSET. WE EXCEEDED ASSIGNED ALT (FL190) BY 1000 FT. WE MANEUVERED TO AVOID OTHER CLOUD TOPS AND MINIMIZE HAZARDS TO CREW AND OTHER PAX. THE ACFT WAS RETURNED TO ASSIGNED ALT WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT OR INJURY.

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.