Citationjet (C525/C526) - CJ I / II / III / IV
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 90; Flight Crew Total 4700; Flight Crew Type 500
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Weather; Staffing; Human Factors; Company Policy
A line of scattered thunderstorms were moving west to east. We spoke with Clearance Delivery and Departure Control regarding the direction to go around these storms. Departure suggested we follow a flight which had just gone westbound to avoid the storms. We agreed. Departure Control said we should be given a turn in a few miles. We were then instructed to contact Center. The frequency was busy and they would not respond to our communications. We were at 23000 ft. and could not get Center to respond. We tried multiple times to check-in and ask for deviations; but no answer. We were using NEXRAD and on board radar. Our path was taking us through two storm cells separated by approximately 30 miles. The radar was showing light to moderate precipitation ahead of us. At no time did it show any red returns ahead of us. Center finally contacted us and told us to climb to 40000 ft. As we initiated the climb; we encountered moderate turbulence with approximately 10 seconds of severe turbulence. As we climbed through 26000 ft. we cleared the clouds and the turbulence abated. We had one passenger on board that was briefed on the expected turbulence and the seat belt sign was on. The passenger was seated with his seat belt on; but did hit his head on the ceiling of the cabin during the turbulence. He did not report any injuries. The cause of the problem was a saturated ATC system that couldn't handle the traffic load. Perhaps more controllers to handle the traffic load could alleviate the situation.
Citation pilot reported flying into severe turbulence due to congested ATC frequency.