Flight Lesson: All shook up

My departure day looked to be VFR with some thunderstorm activity after 3 p.m. at my home. My plan was to be airborne by 11 a.m. for the two-hour flight. That would put me into my destination ahead of the marginal weather. At the airport, I filed a flight plan, preflighted in hot temperatures, and departed east, enjoying the spectacular views of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. It was bumpy with only a few scattered clouds above my 11,500-foot cruising altitude. As I crossed into New Mexico from Arizona I could see some build-up over the higher mountains to the north of my route. Center had lots of chatter from the big guys above me looking for a “smooth ride.”

As I got to Deming, 60 miles from home, it appeared there was some build-up in front of me. Another call to air traffic control indicated a small cell building over my destination. I decided to turn around and go back to Deming and wait.

As I taxied up to the ramp, the manager came out to greet me. I closed the flight plan and checked my weather apps. The cell over Las Cruces was growing, as were other cells over El Paso. I was glad to be on the ground.

About 15 minutes later a Bonanza landed and taxied up. The manager spent awhile with them getting settled. When he came in, he said, “Wow. They have a story.” The pilot came in a few minutes later. I asked, “I heard you have quite a story,” hoping to hear what happened. “It was no big deal,” he said as he walked to the bathroom wearing shorts and no shirt. I remember thinking it odd.

The young man flying with him came in, looked furtively around to ensure we were alone, and explained that he had recently completed his commercial certificate and was flying to Austin for a job. The other pilot had been his instructor and was ferrying the Bonanza to a buyer in the Austin area. They were at 21,000 feet. The on-board radar showed two thunderstorms ahead but an area of light rain between them. The younger pilot said they should turn around, but the older instructor said, “We will be fine. It’s a good experience for you.”

The younger pilot, probably about 25 years old, then related that they hit severe turbulence. “I hit my head in the ceiling at least five times. It knocked my headset off. I think I have a concussion. Then within seconds the windshield iced over with rime ice and the airspeed dropped to zero. We were in the clouds. The attitude indicator was erratic. I thought I was going to die.” He was clearly shaken.

Both pilots had gotten sick from the turbulence and they were trying to air out the airplane. That explained why the other man had so little clothing on.

After three hours on the ground it appeared things were clearing up and the storm had blown itself out. I called the FBO at Las Cruces and a friend answered; clear skies and 10-knot winds out of the east. I asked the young man if he wanted to go that far with me. By then, some of his fear had vanished, and he decided to continue in the Bonanza as long as they stayed VFR. They took off shortly after I did.

I am proud to be a chicken pilot. I never want an experience like that. I’ll continue to enjoy the experience of the beautiful views while flying, not the I cheated death experiences.