A320
Flight Crew Total 5632
Situational Awareness
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Weather
Cruising at FL360 to FLL our aircraft was abeam ORM (Ormond Beach VORTAC) when we encountered moderate turbulence associated with a downdraft. Aircraft was in IMC conditions with no convective activity near aircraft on radar display. I was the Pilot Flying; Captain was the Pilot Monitoring. After moderate turbulence commenced the aircraft began descending at a rate up to -1500 FPM and airspeed began to rapidly increase. Captain notified ATC and reported our inability to maintain altitude. The autopilot failed to keep up with the turbulence and attitude; while descending through 35500 I communicated the indications and disconnected automation to regain control of the aircraft. I smoothly corrected the attitude and airspeed as we exited the turbulence and downdraft. Automation was reengaged as we climbed back to FL360 from roughly 35250. No airframe limits were exceeded. Captain reported return to FL360 with ATC and encountering moderate turbulence with the associated loss of altitude. Syllabus events involving reaction to turbulence and change in attitudes/airspeeds during recurrent training prepared me to recognize and react quickly to this event.
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
Flight crew reported encountering severe turbulence and a downdraft causing excursion from assigned altitude.