Narrative:

I was flying in VFR conditions with no VFR flightplan filed. Although; I always request VFR flight following; on this flight; for some inexplicable reason; I did not request flight following. The extraneous factors leading up to my non-communicated incursion into class B airspace included inclement weather which; in turn; included convective activity; wind shear and turbulence. The other extraneous factors contributing to my incursion into class B airspace included 'copilot seat' passenger weather-related distress and angst leading to an unwarranted preoccupation and 'involvement' with the passenger; in addition to which there was another factor involving the tail wind component that increased my normal 165 KTS to between 180 and 190 KTS thereby causing me to get into the class B airspace much sooner than I normally would have. I was also operating at the time; and throughout the flight; on autopilot thereby further allowing my attention to be diverted to all of the other factors noted above. I discovered the problem/incursion when I finally regained focus and concentrated on all of my piloting duties including; but not limited to; 'being keenly and acutely' aware of my 'flight environment' which obviously included noticing that I was incorrectly within class B airspace at which time I attempted to do the necessary to immediately extricate myself from the improper incursion; however; in that process; I had also failed to note the fact that I had actually made an incursion into 'two layers' of the class B airspace as I was even farther along in the flightplan than I had originally envisioned. At that juncture; in order to attempt to correct the problem; I immediately contacted approach and reported my position requesting 'flight following' into landing at the airport which was given. Although there were numerous human factors which led to this incursion; I must state with all due sincerity that there is still no excuse for what happened. I was clearly in the serious wrong! I am further indebted to the controllers including the operations manager at the TRACON for handling the matter so professionally so that no ultimate harm came to anyone! The corrective actions that I have already taken on myself include a renewed commitment to professional piloting which; in turn; includes the absolute necessity to at all times to be totally aware of exactly where I am both in time and space!! Also; I have a renewed commitment to always; without any exception whatsoever request flight following so that there will be an extra precaution against any and all types of incursions into inappropriate air spaces without first making the appropriate contact and receiving the appropriate permission! In addition; I will not allow any distractions in my cockpit ever again as this has taught me the absolute necessity for total and complete concentration on the duties at hand in my cockpit! I have been a licensed pilot for approximately 30 years and complacency has no place in my flying and as I am proud to say; I have never ever had any type of problem whatsoever with any flight/FAA violations of any kind and that is the reason that I am so very disgusted at this situation and mortified to the point of being disgusted with myself for having allowed this to happen. Therefore; I am ecstatic that this forum exists so that I can admit my error and learn from it and to hopefully have others learn from it so that other incursions do not happen!

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A BE36 pilot entered Class B airspace much sooner than expected because of a tail wind; thunderstorms and rain but when he realized it he asked the TRACON for clearance to his destination within the Class B.

Narrative: I was flying in VFR conditions with no VFR flightplan filed. Although; I always request VFR flight following; on this flight; for some inexplicable reason; I did NOT request flight following. The extraneous factors leading up to my non-communicated incursion into Class B airspace included inclement weather which; in turn; included convective activity; wind shear and turbulence. The other extraneous factors contributing to my incursion into Class B airspace included 'copilot seat' passenger weather-related distress and angst leading to an unwarranted preoccupation and 'involvement' with the passenger; in addition to which there was another factor involving the tail wind component that increased my normal 165 KTS to between 180 and 190 KTS thereby causing me to get into the Class B airspace much sooner than I normally would have. I was also operating at the time; and throughout the flight; on autopilot thereby further allowing my attention to be diverted to all of the other factors noted above. I discovered the problem/incursion when I finally regained focus and concentrated on ALL of my piloting duties including; but not limited to; 'being keenly and acutely' aware of my 'flight environment' which obviously included noticing that I was incorrectly within Class B airspace at which time I attempted to do the necessary to IMMEDIATELY extricate myself from the improper incursion; however; in that process; I had also failed to note the fact that I had actually made an incursion into 'two layers' of the Class B airspace as I was even farther along in the flightplan than I had originally envisioned. At that juncture; in order to attempt to correct the problem; I IMMEDIATELY contacted Approach and reported my position requesting 'flight following' into landing at the airport which was given. Although there were numerous human factors which led to this incursion; I must state with all due sincerity that there is still no excuse for what happened. I was clearly in the serious WRONG! I am further indebted to the Controllers including the Operations Manager at the TRACON for handling the matter so professionally so that no ultimate harm came to anyone! The corrective actions that I have already taken on myself include a renewed commitment to professional piloting which; in turn; includes the absolute necessity to at ALL times to be totally aware of EXACTLY where I am both in time and SPACE!! Also; I have a renewed commitment to ALWAYS; without any exception whatsoever request FLIGHT FOLLOWING so that there will be an extra precaution against any and all types of incursions into inappropriate air spaces without FIRST making the appropriate contact and receiving the appropriate permission! In addition; I will NOT allow any distractions in my cockpit ever again as this has taught me the absolute necessity for total and complete concentration on the duties at hand in my cockpit! I have been a licensed pilot for approximately 30 years and complacency has no place in my flying and as I am proud to say; I have NEVER EVER had any type of problem whatsoever with any flight/FAA violations of any kind and that is the reason that I am so very disgusted at this situation and mortified to the point of being disgusted with myself for having allowed this to happen. Therefore; I am ecstatic that this forum exists so that I can admit my error and LEARN from it and to hopefully have others learn from it so that other incursions do not happen!

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.