Windshear at YSSY

[Philip Argy]

Latest ATSB report into an extreme windshear incident:

On 15 April 2007, a Boeing Company 747-438 aircraft, registered VH-OJR, was being operated on a scheduled passenger flight from Singapore to Sydney, NSW. On board the aircraft were 19 crew and 355 passengers. At 1923 Eastern Standard Time, the aircraft was about 100 ft above ground level prior to landing on runway 16 Right (16R) when it encountered a significant and rapid change in wind conditions. The aircraft touched down heavily and the windshear warning sounded in the cockpit. The crew conducted the windshear escape manoeuvre and made a second approach and landing.
The airport was under the influence a line of high-based thunderstorms associated with light, intermittent rain. Investigation revealed that the aircraft was influenced by outflow descending from a high-based storm cell that developed into a microburst. The airport did not have a windshear warning system. Pilots of aircraft operating on the reciprocal runway had previously reported moderate windshear to air traffic control, and the surface wind conditions had changed rapidly. However, that information was not communicated to the occurrence aircraft by air traffic control.
In response to this occurrence, the Bureau of Meteorology commenced a Sydney Airport Wind Shear Study to assess options for providing the aviation industry with low altitude windshear alerts. That study is scheduled for completion in April 2010

ATSB report is here: http://www.atsb.gov.au/media/752453/ao2007001.pdf
Bureau of Meteorology report is here: http://www.atsb.gov.au/media/753599/..._appendix1.pdf

[Anthony J]

One of the most amazing demonstrations of fine aviating I've ever seen.

[Philip Argy]

The ATSB concluded that the 23kt windspeed change from the microburst exceeded the a/c's acceleration capability, occurred when the a/c was too close to the ground to avoid the 2.15g initial and 1.5g secondary landings, and that the go-around was the approriate response even with the a/c main gear having contacted the runway.
The likelihood is that YSSY will have automated low level windshear warnings in operation within the next two years, and Bureau of Meterology reports as well as ATC actions have been upgraded to provide a better chance of early low level windshear warnings being issued to approaching aircraft. The report also wryly notes that Sydney Tower now has the Sydney Airport Meteorological Unit (SAMU) on their speed dial!

This is the model of a good objective ATSB report triggering what should be much better outcomes for YSSY and aviation safety.

[Adrian B]

Listening to the tower feed, there was quite a few broadcasts on windsheer alast week on 34L/R

[Blair M]

Combined flight hours of 35,638 between the two crew!

Wow...

[Philip Argy]

ATIS this afternoon:

WS WRNG 01, 0042, VALID 0100 TO 0200,
WS FCST WITH PASSAGE OF SOUTHERLY CHANGE,
FCST SFC WIND 180/20-30 KTS,
FCST 1600 FT WIND 230/15 KTS

[Darren Butterworth]

We're often sitting on the front veranda overlooking the runways at YSSY listening to the scanner and from what I've heard is that the warnings are always instigated by aircraft and then relayed by the tower.

I remember an amazing experience on either Christmas eve or New Years last year, we were having a quiet drink or ten on the front balcony and they were using runway 07 for arrivals. We saw four go-rounds in a row (and if I can dig out the photos I'll share them - although the quality isn't great) where windsheer was reported as the cause.

Darren

[Jason H]

Current ATIS:

WS WRNG 01 VALID 0415 TO 0500,
WS FCST ASSOCIATED WITH SEA BREEZE.
FCST SFC WIND 150/15 G20 KTS,
FCST 1600 FT WIND 340/15.
WIND SHEAR WARNING,
B737 REPORTED MODERATE UNDERSHOOT WIND SHEAR
AT 1000 FT ON DEP RWY 16L AT TIME 0415

Almost as chaotic as yesterday's wind

[Mike S]

Videotaped the whole QF12 (A380) landing yesterday into YSSY via the tailcam.

Had a nice bit of angle towards the end

[Gerald D]

My daughter who is a frequent flier into YSSY had the worst landing she has ever had on Saturday on the Qantas flight from Singapore.She said there were sick bags going everywhere-yuck.