B737 flight crew reported encountering a wind shear on final approach and executed a go-around; subsequently safely landing on a different runway.
Synopsis
B737 flight crew reported encountering a wind shear on final approach and executed a go-around; subsequently safely landing on a different runway.
Narrative
Arrival briefing; setup and initial approach was uneventful. Threat forward briefing was used and we discussed short; wet runway; slight gusts for Runway 09. I elected a Flaps 40 landing configuration after balancing gusts vs. short / wet runway performance. No thunderstorms were reported at the field. After breaking out on short final at approximately 500 - 600 ft. AGL; ORD Tower called microburst; 2 miles west of Runway 09; our position. I called for and executed a go-around; we received no PWS (Predictive Wind Shear) indications. ATC asked why we were going around and the FO (First Officer) explained due to the microburst warning and Tower commanded we fly runway heading.The go-around mechanics were uneventful with some turbulence and slight airspeed variations. After reaching approximately 2;500 - 3;000 ft. MSL we began experiencing moderate turbulence; and gains and losses in airspeed in excess of 10 - 15 kt. but I was able to maintain airspeed with normal throttle inputs. At approximately 3;000 ft. MSL with 1;000 ft. climb to go; we experienced a rapid decrease of 20 - 30 kt. and we received a stick shaker for approximately 1 second but by then I had advanced the power to max and the airspeed shot back up 30+ kt. in less than a second and our climb rate rapidly increased. During that time I asked the FO to engage the autopilot and simultaneously ATC directed a frequency change but the turbulence made it difficult for the FO to do either. We finally got the AP (Autopilot) on; changed frequency; and the FO informed them we experienced the microburst / windshear and had exceeded the assigned altitude by approximately 300 ft. They advised us that was not a problem; attempted to vector us back to Runway 09; but I insisted for vectors to Runway 10C to not go back through that area of weather again. We briefed and flew an uneventful landing to Runway 10C.
Second reporter narrative
I was the pilot monitoring for this flight. Prior to descent all briefings were completed; along with discussions about the gusty conditions going into ORD. The visibility was above the required minimums and the ceiling was about 800 ft. We were vectored for the ILS 9L approach. All checklists were completed and we were cleared to land. After we passed the 1;000 ft. call we broke out of the clouds and could see the runway. At about 600 ft. AGL the Tower provided microburst alert 2 miles from 9L." The Captain who was the pilot flying then called a go-around and we were asked why we were going around from the Tower. I advised it was due to the microburst alert and they provided me a Departure frequency.As we climbed out we cleaned up on speed; retracting the gear and flaps in order. When I set the clean maneuver speed it was just over 205 kt. and we entered into moderate turbulence. In the turbulence I was unable to read the radio frequency on the radio control panel to contact Departure. As we were climbing well above 3;000 ft. I observed a loss of about 35 kt. of airspeed from wind shear without any indication on the navigation display; with a subsequent momentary activation of the stick shaker. The pilot flying was already hand-flying and had begun the recovery procedure and I observed the airspeed returning. We then climbed through 4;000 ft. to approximately 4;300 ft. due to the recovery from the wind shear. I was then able to contact ATC and told them we were returning to 4;000 ft. and that we had experienced wind shear above 3;000 ft. They provided vectors for ILS 9L but due to the conditions we requested the ILS 10C. We made the approach into ORD with out any further issues."
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.