Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Confusion; Distraction; Workload
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Speed All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Maintenance Action
Weather
At 45000 feet 50 miles southwest of LAR VOR we encountered severe turbulence. It started with moderate mountain waves that took us up to 45200 feet then down to 44700; with this happening twice in succession. The airspeed fluctuated from Mach .80 to .77 or so. This lasted for about a minute. About a minute in we were hit with a 2-3 second burst of severe turbulence. The airplane banked to the right 30 degrees rapidly; at which point I switched off the autopilot. Though I had control of the plane it rapidly went to Mach .74 even though I had the nose down and we lost about 500 feet. Initially as this happened we got the 'Stall' aural warning; though we got no stick shaker and it didn't come close to any kind of stall. After a few seconds the turbulence went to moderate then light; I had full control of the airplane and we got back up to 45000 feet. We requested lower and got down to 43000 feet where I put it back on autopilot. I went back to check on our passenger and reassure him. He seemed fine; a little nervous but overall ok. Conditions were clear; total VFR and no convective activity anywhere. The airplane weight was 31500 pounds and it was ISA -4c; well within performance parameters for 45000 feet in the CL-350. The only reports of turbulence in the area was for light turbulence. The release shear report for the LAR area was 1. Just a case of clear air turbulence with mountain waves. As the PIC I included is the shear report for the flight.
Bombardier Challenger Captain reported encountering severe turbulence that resulted in speed deviations and momentary altitude excursions.