If the weather is really a cause of accident then I can only say that human stupidity is unlimited. From KOPF to KISM is 155 miles – probably less than 40 min in SF50. With so many weather tools, radar, satellite weather… it’s almost impossible not to see severe weather on your route.
Sure, but then in Florida, in summer, you have thunderstorms almost every day. So not flying when there are thunderstorms out there is not an option, unless one is flying totally for fun only.
Agree but it’s pretty much predictable on a given route within 40 min timeframe.
Here are METAR: lovely day to fly VFR in Florida but likely the mess did hit mid afternoon and cleared up after 30min…they just picked the wrong timing to try to squeeze the landing in sub-2km visibility with rain & windsheer in light jet
One can fly to destination on such weather on visual avoidance with some extra fuel for holding, no need for fancy tools
KISM 091156Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 22/22 A2980 RMK AO2 SLP091 6//// 7//// T02220217 10228 20222 53010 PNO
KISM 091256Z 16005KT 10SM CLR 25/23 A2982 RMK AO2 SLP096 T02500228 PNO
KISM 091356Z 16006KT 10SM CLR 26/23 A2982 RMK AO2 SLP096 T02610233 PNO
KISM 091456Z 16006KT 10SM CLR 27/24 A2984 RMK AO2 SLP102 6//// T02720244 53012 PNO
KISM 091556Z 14007KT 10SM FEW017 BKN024 BKN029 29/24 A2983 RMK AO2 SLP101 T02890244 PNO
KISM 091708Z 13009KT 10SM SCT029 BKN037 OVC048 31/24 A2983 RMK AO2 PNO
KISM 091756Z 18008KT 10SM BKN030 BKN035 31/24 A2981 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT W AND NW SLP093 6//// T03110244 10311 20222 58009 PNO
KISM 091903Z 25023G28KT 1 3/4SM TSRA BR SCT036 OVC048 26/23 A2984 RMK AO2 PK WND 25028/1903 WSHFT 1847 VIS 1V5 LTG DSNT N AND SW PNO
KISM 091918Z 21008KT 3SM TSRA BR FEW034 BKN048 OVC065 23/23 A2984 RMK AO2 PK WND 24028/1904 WSHFT 1847 LTG DSNT N AND SE PNO
KISM 091956Z 13005KT 10SM VCTS -RA FEW046 SCT070 24/23 A2984 RMK AO2 PK WND 24028/1904 WSHFT 1847 LTG DSNT NE AND SE SLP105 T02440233 PNO
KISM 092007Z 17007KT 10SM -RA CLR 24/23 A2985 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT NE-SE TSE01 PNO
KISM 092056Z 21005KT 10SM -RA FEW031 SCT120 25/24 A2984 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SE TSE01 SLP102 6//// T02500239 50009 PNO
KISM 092156Z 21004KT 10SM SCT060 26/24 A2985 RMK AO2 RAE19 SLP109 T02560239 PNO
KISM 092256Z 13004KT 10SM CLR 26/24 A2988 RMK AO2 SLP116 T02560244 PNO
KISM 092356Z 14003KT 10SM FEW110 26/24 A2989 RMK AO2 SLP119 6//// T02560244 10322 20233 51017 PNO
boscomantico wrote:
Sure, but then in Florida, in summer, you have thunderstorms almost every day. So not flying when there are thunderstorms out there is not an option, unless one is flying totally for fun only.
I did my most of my 22 years in Atlanta, which is effectively the same subtropical climate as Florida. You are right about this, and the weather can deteriorate very quickly. I have been caught multiple times suddenly surrounded by TS with limited options, and when embedded it’s even worse. But even when visual they can be difficult to spot if you’re coming from behind their direction of travel. You can be in it before you know what’s happened. Whenever I am deciding whether to fly in an area with storms, one of the key things I take into account is whether I am heading into the front or back side.
Peter, may be they’ve meant extreme turbulence?
“Severe – Large, abrupt changes in altitude and/or attitude. Aircraft may be momentarily out of control
Extreme – Aircraft is violently tossed about and practically impossible to control. May cause structural damage”
Why would one pull the chute in “severe turbulence” if the aircraft is intact?
The AP was disconnected and aircraft was not easy to control? some people would consider hand flying in turbulent clouds a serious emergency, especially on approach or missed as one gets near the holy ground or climbs into the action 
I have flown one Cirrus in thunderstorm over English Channel in cruise, the aircraft was still flyable near it’s edges but it did come to my mind pulling chute if things have gone badly, ending up in water would have been less than what we ideally liked to be, I also had my PLB about to go ON…I am not sure what would be the right thing to do? I was very lucky on that one and I am not trying it again
@Ibra, but you didn’t, that’s the difference. If it was extreme – yes, I get it. Severe? “Aircraft may be momentarily out of control”. Right. That could happen in strong thermals, for example – you can’t bring it down for a few seconds. Or some downdraights, same story. I think they’ve meant extreme turbulence, and that case it might make sense.
