Date: 201707
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: PEO.Airport, NY
Flight conditions: IMC
Weather elements / visibility: Turbulence; Rain; Thunderstorm; 0
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Beechcraft Twin Piston Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Initial Approach
Airspace: Class E ELM
ATC / advisory: CTAF PEO; TRACON ELM
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Contributing factors: Procedure; Weather
Primary problem: Weather

Narrative: After being cleared for the RNAV 01 into PEO by Elmira I encountered heavy rain; turbulence; and saw a lightening flash off to the west of our course. I asked on the CTAF 123.00 for conditions on the field as the ASOS was still reporting 1;000 ft ceilings. Staff at the field responded that it was raining heavily and high winds. My radar was painting strong activity to the west and north of the field. With all that going on; I felt very strongly that going missed was the best action. I announced that on CTAF and immediately called ELM and advised. Since the conditions in the direction of WOFIL were not good; I told them I was climbing and turning to a 090 heading. The controller said that I was on an IFR clearance and that was not acceptable. And; that I was not to climb above 4;000 feet and that I was to execute the missed approach as published. I advised that was not acceptable and declined. He repeated the instructions (I think as I was very busy with flying the plane; looking at radar and determining what the best course to put distance between us and the weather) to fly the missed as I would be in ROC airspace if I didn't or something like that. At that time I [advised ATC] and he acknowledged and then was able to hand me off to ROC. They were EXTREMELY HELPFUL and also had weather radar (ELM did not). They suggested a 270 heading to avoid a cell north and set me up for the RNAV 19. We got established on that and landed. I canceled with ELM on their landline and asked to speak to a supervisor. They were obviously still busy as the weather was fairly widespread and I suggested that they call me back. They did and I spoke to [the controller] and wanted to make sure that he understood my position and actions and that there was no issue with the deviation. He was very good and specifically indicated that he understood and confirmed that the matter was closed. He explained his situation that I was penetrating airspace that was not his.There are issues with the way the airspace is divided up at PEO and this caused some issues on that approach in nasty weather. It is the first time I have ever [advised ATC] but that really helped with our situation. ATC was very helpful and much appreciated as always.




Synopsis: Beechcraft twin-engine pilot reported a missed approach due to weather led to issues with ATC.