EMB-145 flight crew reported passing below buildups resulted in possible downdrafts; airspeed loss and a momentary loss of control.
Synopsis
EMB-145 flight crew reported passing below buildups resulted in possible downdrafts; airspeed loss and a momentary loss of control.
Narrative
Operating a flight; ZZZ1 - ZZZ. ATC was vectoring us around thunderstorms in the area. We were given the ILS Runway XX in visual conditions. We had landing numbers for 43;500lbs; flaps 45; and RCC5 (Runway Condition Code) for the wet runway. Both the captain and I talked about it and decided it would be more suitable to accept the visual. The reason for accepting the visual was there were thunderstorms on the final approach for runway XX. We then accepted the visual for runway XX. Once cleared for the visual ; we were at 2;500 descending to 2;100ft as published and I turned to about a 270 heading to start a base outside the FAF ZZZZZ for runway XX. I called for flaps 45; followed by landing checklist. The field was reporting winds around 250 at 4 knots at the time; no know low level wind shear advisories were in effect. There was some build ups above our flight path and while descending; the airspeed rapidly dropped inducing for the stick shaker to activate for maybe 1 second. The shaker just blipped on then off and the event was over. I immediately pitched the aircraft by disconnecting the autopilot; increased the thrust levers to correct the issue instantly. It was a rapid downdraft due to what seemed to be a wind shift from the build up above us; therefore the loss of performance. The captain and I talked about continuing and we decided it was safe to continue inbound because we were still outside of ZZZZZ and above 1;000ft agl on the base leg and the thunderstorms in the area. Once we were established on the localizer; Tower called and reported the winds to then be gusting up to 16 knots from the 250 direction. The rest of the flight was uneventful and landed safely on runway XX in ZZZ.
Second reporter narrative
Operating flight from ZZZ1 to ZZZ. We were assigned the ILS XX approach in visual conditions. There were thunderstorms on the final approach course so we opted to instead do a visual approach to avoid flying into the storms. Once cleared for the visual; the FO made a turn towards the final approach course to join the localizer outside of ZZZZZ. We were at 2500 feet and he began a descent to 2100 feet which is published outside of ZZZZZ. The aircraft was in the landing configuration with flaps set at 45 degrees. ATC called and asked for flight conditions during our descent towards the airport; specifically for ceilings. I looked out my left window; back towards the area we had descended through. I informed the controller that there was no overcast ceiling; just scattered with buildups. Just as I turned my head back into the flight deck; we were passing underneath some clouds on our base leg; and the airspeed suddenly bled off into the white arc and the stick shaker activated for about two seconds. The FO immediately disconnected the autopilot and applied thrust and put the nose down. The shaker had already ceased. The aircraft regained speed and the FO continued the descent towards 2100 feet and joined the localizer; followed by the glide slope. We landed on Runway XX without incident and continued to the gate.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.