What should you do if you encounter a microburst?

Encountering a microburst can be extremely hazardous for aircraft due to the sudden and severe downdrafts associated with it. The correct course of action in such a scenario is to execute an escape maneuver, which involves advancing the power to maximum available, retracting the speed brakes, rolling the wings level, climbing, and taking out flaps.

This approach is designed to maximize lift and thrust in a critical situation. By advancing the power to maximum, the aircraft can achieve the needed thrust to climb away from the dangerous conditions below. Retracting speed brakes reduces drag, allowing the aircraft to maintain or gain speed more efficiently, while rolling wings level helps stabilize the aircraft. Climbing is essential to escape the downdraft and gain altitude, while taking out the flaps optimizes the aircraft’s performance for a climb. Together, these steps help pilots navigate safely out of the microburst conditions.

In contrast, increasing altitude and descending immediately, performing sharp turns, or maintaining the current flight path do not effectively address the dynamics of a microburst. Each of those options may limit control or exacerbate the risks involved during such an intense weather phenomenon, putting the aircraft and its occupants at further risk.