Cessna Aircraft Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 12; Flight Crew Total 6000; Flight Crew Type 60
Distraction; Time Pressure; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Aircraft Equipment Problem Dissipated
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Weather
I landed at Desert Rock because of bad weather. My destination was Boulder City/BVU; NV. I waited for the weather to improve and considered my alternatives. Weather wise Beatty/BTY; NV appeared to be the best idea. However; the airport phone number 775-751-6855; [and several other local facility phone numbers] were all reported as non working numbers when I called them. [The local car rental] facility had no listed number.I decided to fly to Boulder City since the weather in the direction of Boulder City was visibly improving. I got a standard briefing and filed a flight plan with 1-800-wxbrief. Weather at Boulder City was forecast to be winds 230/04; visibility 10SM; 2000 scattered; 4200 scattered and 7000 overcast. There was an AIRMET of 'turbulence below 16;000 feet'. Route of flight was direct Jean/OL7; NV direct Boulder City/BVU; NV because of Class B airspace. Time enroute was 45 minutes. I asked for flight service frequencies to open my flight plan. I was given 122.4 and 122.35 for Reno Radio. I asked for a Las Vegas Approach Control frequency and was given Nellis Approach Control 118.3. I took off from Desert Rock. I immediately encountered moderate to severe turbulence. I called the three frequencies listed above with no response. I continued calling the frequencies as I proceeded south. It became obvious as I flew south that I could not fly my planned route because of clouds and turbulence. I started to fly over a ridge line on my route and was bounced around so much that my head hit the top of the cabin repeatedly and at one time the airspeed went from 90MPH to 160MPH instantly. I altered course to basically fly along the foothills as I proceeded south. I tried to find a Las Vegas Approach Control frequency on the Las Vegas Sectional chart. I was bouncing around so much I was unable to read any small print. I decided to use my GPSs to go under Class Bravo airspace and avoid Class Delta airspace at Henderson Executive/HND; NV. In my opinion that is what I did. I landed at Boulder City and taxied to the fuel pump. One of the line crew handed me a note to call the Las Vegas TRACON. I called and was told that I had 'Busted Class B airspace'. I told him I thought I had flown under it. He did not ask me about any of the difficulties outlined above. I did advise him that I had tried to contact Nellis Approach Control on 118.3 with no response. (This was the frequency given me by flight service when I asked for a Las Vegas Approach control frequency-see above.) He said 'there would be an investigation'. I got a radio check on my two radios before I left the fuel pump. Both checked OK. I checked them again before I departed Boulder City [the next day]. Both checked fine again. I was able to open my Boulder City/BVU; NV to Deer Valley/DVT; AZ flight plan with Reno Radio on 122.4 as I departed Boulder City.
Single Engine Cessna pilot described a diversion due to weather. He was unable to contact any location facility; so he planned and departed for a different airport. Along the way he experienced communication problems and turbulence. Upon landing; he was advised that he had penetrated Class B airspace without a clearance.