Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Engineer
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100; Flight Crew Total 7000; Flight Crew Type 9
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Aircraft; Weather
I was assigned 6;000 FT and a heading to intercept the ILS. I entered solid IFR conditions; zero visibility; heavy moisture - possibly rain and significant turbulence. While I was on heading before intercept; more turbulence was encountered; the left wing dropped; skewing the heading to the left and causing a rapid descent. Full right aileron and full power were required to get the wings level and arrest the descent. Once the wings were level a climb was possible back to assigned altitude. Once back on course and close to ILS intercept; turbulence lessened and a constant descent on the glideslope was possible. On the preceding trip; lighter continuous turbulence made asking for deviations +/- 200 to 300 feet necessary. It is possible that [a change in] course would have been more clear of weather and turbulence. Pilot unfamiliarity with a smaller plane and its handling characteristics and performance capabilities in adverse weather was a factor. More experience in aircraft will reveal more of its capabilities and limits. Lowering of the acceptable weather threshold until the prior is more fully understood would mitigate any further occurrences.
The pilot of a Liberty XL2 encountered turbulence in instrument conditions that caused a momentary loss of control. He was able to apply full power and flight control inputs to regain control and return on course.