Microburst event - Sydney Airport, New South Wales, on 15 April 2007, VH-OJR, Boeing 747-438

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.