Trinidad TB-20
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 330; Flight Crew Type 50
Physiological - Other; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Human Factors; Weather
I was on an IFR flight plan. I am instrument rated and current. I was flying on autopilot; and had stepped down from 5000 FT to 3000 FT as instructed by ATC. 3000 FT put me in solid IMC with light to moderate turbulence. After approximately 20-30 minutes in IMC I was vectored onto the ILS and transitioned to Tower frequency. Shortly after [that] I realized my autopilot was flying through the ILS as the needle became centered then started deflecting. Realizing my autopilot was configured incorrectly I disconnected it and attempted to correct my approach by hand. When I disconnected I must have over corrected because I almost immediately realized I was in an uncoordinated/unusual attitude; descending and turning. After correcting the unusual attitude I realized I was rattled from how fast I became uncoordinated. I advised Tower I was breaking off the approach. I had become 'lost' on the ILS and that I was climbing back above the layer. They handed me back to TRACON; who immediately vectored me back to the ILS. I re-entered IMC; and still felt uncomfortable tracking the approach; so I again climbed above the layer. This time I was still with TRACON; so I asked to switch to VFR flight and assumed an easterly heading in VMC on top. After collecting my nerves; and troubleshooting my system I requested vectors back to the ILS; re-entered IMC and successfully navigated the approach; [and] broke out of clouds at approximately 1000 FT AGL. In retrospect; I should have requested vectors away from the ILS to have time to set up for the approach after my first missed. Since this incident; I've booked more time with a CFII to actively seek IMC to fly in. I'm instituting regular practice on my home simulator and I have also redoubled my efforts to understand every mode available on my GPS/autopilot to ensure I always know how it's configured; and have done several practice approaches since this incident. It has been a couple of years since I was last in IMC. It was more disorienting than I'd experienced in recent flight with foggles; especially with the turbulence; which caused me to lose; then regain control of the aircraft shortly after beginning to hand fly in IMC.
TB20 pilot reported an unusual attitude resulted after becoming disoriented on an ILS approach in actual IMC.