B737-300
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 128
Distraction; Physiological - Other; Time Pressure; Workload
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Weather
At FL320 we encountered severe turbulence that caused loss of aircraft control. There no reports of turbulence in the area at the time. This resulted in an altitude deviation of approximately 600 FT. We informed ATC that we were descending to FL280. ATC asked if we were declaring an emergency and we informed them that we were not. ATC told us to maintain FL320 due to oncoming traffic. We regained control of the aircraft at approximately FL314 and climbed back to FL320. The turbulence was reported to ATC.
A B737-300 encountered severe turbulence. Unable to maintain altitude; the aircraft descended 600 FT before the pilots regained control and returned to FL320 for on coming traffic.