Defnition

a small-scale, intense downdraft that spreads outward in all directions from the downdraft center when reaching the surface

Characteristics

• especially dangerous during landing if the pilot has reduced power and lowered the nose in response to the headwind shear
• leaves the aircraft in a nose-low, power-low configuration when the tailwind shear occurs, which makes recovery more difficult
• can cause the airplane to stall or land short of the runway