EMB-145 flight crew reported experiencing turbulence (microbursts) during climbout at 18;000-19;000 ft. resulting in temporary loss of aircraft control. The crew disconnected the Autopilot and were able to regain control of the aircraft at 13;500 ft.
Synopsis
EMB-145 flight crew reported experiencing turbulence (microbursts) during climbout at 18;000-19;000 ft. resulting in temporary loss of aircraft control. The crew disconnected the Autopilot and were able to regain control of the aircraft at 13;500 ft.
Narrative
Encountered moderate turbulence with big loss of altitude during climb through 18;000. We took off from ZZZ Runway XXL; ZZZZZ X departure with initial altitude of 4;000. Everything was going normal; until above 10;000 we started to feel the turbulence. ATC issued announcements about the occasional light chops with moderate rain 12 O'clock. Then the turbulence started to get worse. Pilot flying (PF) (Captain) decided to disconnect the Autopilot and hand fly. As a pilot monitoring (PM) I turned the radar on trying find a better spot. Suggested right deviation from the current course; PF said doesn't want to load aircraft. During all these we still losing altitude. ATC issued new altitude assignment. We were unable to climb at all and airplane was still losing altitude. We got down to 13;600 ft.; with loss of more than 4;000 ft. of altitude. It was a microburst obviously. PF was able to manage the situation in a very professional way while he was still flying manually. It took over 10 minutes to get out of that situation. Once we got out; we made a report; and we continued to our destination.
Second reporter narrative
During our initial climb; at approximately 18;000 to 19;000 ft. MSL; the flight encountered moderate turbulence; followed by an abrupt VSI indicated descent of about 4;000 per min. The Captain; disengaged the Autopilot during the initial turbulence; and attempted to recover the lost altitude. The plane would give a buffet of possibly high speed while pitching to noise -1 degree or more. The pilot monitoring; reviewed the radar; and told the Captain that going east may get us out of the event sooner. This was noted; but due to the possible stresses on the aircraft; was unable to be executed; by the pilot flying. Shortly after the Captain continued to slow the descent and encountered the same buffet 2 more times. Eventually the Captain was able to reach nose level; and retard the descent to around -1;000 per min. After exiting the event the aircraft pitched up and gain altitude briefly up to around +5000 [feet] per min; before that was also retarded to altitude level at around 16;000 ft. MSL. The event started between FL190 and FL180; and the bottom of the loss was around 13;500 ft. MSL. Upon the exiting of the event; the Captain called the Flight Attendant (FA) and verified; that no one had been injured; and made contact with ATC and Dispatch through ACARS. At the beginning of the event; the Captain told ATC that he was encountering; severe turbulence; in order to have them reroute aircraft away from the area. After the event the Captain called ATC; and revised this to moderate turbulence and possibly a microburst. This is the best I can recount of the events after they took place; and are subject to be as accurate as I can recount as of the time of this writing.Suggestions - I think we could use more microburst training in the sim; as an ex-sim instructor; I would like to think this experience proved to be essential in the recovery from this event without any injuries or substantial damage to the aircraft.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.