Air carrier flight crew reported a windshear encounter during approach to PBI airport resulting in a flap overspeed and momentary loss of aircraft control.
Synopsis
Air carrier flight crew reported a windshear encounter during approach to PBI airport resulting in a flap overspeed and momentary loss of aircraft control.
Narrative
On the base turn; approach cleared us for the visual to Runway 28R at PBI and ask to report if we encounter any wind shear because we're below a system over the field. Right after being cleared to land by tower on Runway 28R; I asked for flaps 30 and below the line; the CA moved the flaps to 30 and completed the checklist. Around 1400-1500 feet indicated; the airplane felt like it was being pushed around erratically by the winds and I quickly realized that we had encountered performance increasing wind shear. Instinctively; I quickly disconnected the autopilot and got the airplane back under control and we both felt safe to continue to an uneventful landing. The CA reported the wind shear to tower while on final. I suspected that we might've had an over speed of the flaps at 30 due to the rapid increase in speed; so we pulled the flap data and confirmed that we exceeded the flap 30 speed by 4 knots (179 KT). The CA contacted Maintenance Control; requested a flap inspection; and wrote up the event in the logbook.Dying thunderstorms over the field is a recipe for wind shears.This one would be hard to predict. Speed increased rapidly and wasn't preventable.
Second reporter narrative
Flying visual approach 28R shortened with vector to FAF. Checklists complete gear down flaps 30 on base leg. PBI Tower asks to report if we get any shear as we fly under a layer not painting anything; field clear; dry and insight. Just a moment later encountered an increasing performance wind shear as airspeed suddenly increased. No warnings in cockpit. Pilot flying disconnected autopilot and hand flew to normal landing. We informed tower before landing and pulled flight data flap information where we suspected a momentary flap over speed. This was confirmed that we had exceeded 175 limit for 30 flaps. It showed 179 -30 flaps. Called Maintenance Control and requested over speed inspection in logbook. Unseen weather in visual conditions.I don't have any great suggestions since our radar wasn't even painting anything. The speed this happened in a few seconds. FO handled it the way I would have by disconnecting autopilot and stabilizing aircraft.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.