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Downbursts and microbursts - An aviation hazardDownburst and microburst phenomena occurring since 1975 are studied, based on meteorological analyses of aircraft accidents, aerial surveys of wind effects left behind downbursts, and studies of sub-mesoscale wind systems. It is concluded that microbursts beneath small, air mass thunderstorms are unpredictable in terms of weather forecast. Most aircraft incidents, however, were found to have occurred in the summer months, June through August. An intense microburst could produce 150 mph horizontal winds as well as 60 fps downflows at the tree-top level. The largest contributing factor to aircraft difficulties seemed to be a combination of the headwind decrease and the downflow. Anemometers and/or pressure sensors placed near runways were found effective for detecting gust fronts, but not for detecting downbursts. It is recommended that new detection systems placed on the ground or airborne, be developed, and that pilots be trained for simulated landing and go-around through microbursts.
Document ID
19820026679
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Fujita, T. T.
(Chicago, University Chicago, IL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1980
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Meeting Information
Meeting: In: Conference on Radar Meteorology
Location: Miami Beach, FL
Start Date: April 15, 1980
End Date: April 18, 1980
Accession Number
82A10214
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-14-001-008
CONTRACT_GRANT: NOAA-04-4-158-1
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-78-01074
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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