Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 1500; Flight Crew Type 100
Situational Awareness
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution
Human Factors; Weather
Flying over FAY I noted moderate turbulence and made report to FAY approach. In response they offered a lower altitude of 3;000 feet which I accepted. Subsequently turbulence became severe. Aircraft control became difficult. RDU approach told me to expect visual for 5R. In order to get to the runway ASAP I descended below MDA. A radio tower with a height of about 2;200 feet AGL was clearly visible and avoided. ATC instructed me to climb to 3;000 feet and turn 090. I climbed to about 3;400 feet. Stabilization of the aircraft was difficult due to severe turbulence. I eventually was vectored to successful landing. Of note there was a PIREP issued about an hour before by an aircraft 10 miles west of RDU reporting moderate turbulence. That aircraft is three times the weight of mine and supports the severity of turbulence I was experiencing.
GA pilot reported flying through severe turbulence near RDU airport resulting in difficulty controlling the aircraft and a descent below the MDA.