Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 15; Flight Crew Total 290; Flight Crew Type 290
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Weather
En route southbound on V113; Nexrad weather showed areas of medium precipitation. I was in visual conditions and could see the clouds were just above my cruising altitude. I requested a 20 degree deviation from ATC which was approved. Shortly after turning to deviate away from the medium precipitation; I encountered a downdraft that caused me to lose 700 FT from my assigned altitude of 9;000 FT to approximately 8;300 FT. ATC asked about my altitude and I responded that I was in a downdraft and requested lower. ATC cleared me to descend and maintain 7;000 FT.
C172 pilot encounters a strong downdraft flying below storm clouds at 9;000 FT and looses 700 FT inadvertently. ATC questions the descent then assigns 7;000 FT as requested.