Which weather phenomenon requires heightened attention during approach and landing?

• A. Turbulence near the runway
• B. Wind shear and microbursts
• C. Icing on the tail surfaces
• D. Lightning along the flight path

Answer: (B)

During approach and landing, sudden changes in wind conditions near the ground can have the most immediate and dangerous impact. Wind shear and microbursts create abrupt shifts in wind speed and direction, along with vertical gusts, right where the airplane is at low altitude and close to its stall margin. That combination can cause a rapid loss (or gain) of airspeed and a sudden change in flight path, making precise control and timely decisions crucial. Pilots must be ready to adjust power, pitch, and attitude quickly, and be prepared to go around if wind shear or a microburst is detected or forecast.

Icing on tail surfaces is a concern in icing conditions but isn’t as likely to pose an immediate, high-risk event specifically during the final approach as wind shear. Lightning along the flight path is hazardous, but it’s not the scenario that typically requires heightened attention at this phase the way wind shear and microbursts do. Turbulence near the runway can occur, but the potentially sudden and violent effects of wind shear or a microburst near the ground make them the top concern during approach and landing.