Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 123; Flight Crew Total 12800; Flight Crew Type 750
Situational Awareness
Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
General Maintenance Action
Human Factors; Weather
Began approach to Rwy 23L. Thunderstorms and rain in the area; night; in and out of IMC. Significant turbulence on approach. Selected gear down; flaps 20 approx. 2300 ft. Prior speed 180 had been assigned. As we were light our ref was only 133. Due to the wind shear; our deceleration was taking longer than usual so at about 170kts I called for flaps 30; speed v-ref +5; landing check list (MAP was already set at glideslope intercept altitude). This took place at approx 1500-1700 ft AGL as I wanted to be configured early due to the turbulence. At about 800 ft AGL I disengaged the A/P and re-briefed our missed approach maneuver in case we experienced windshear. The turbulence smoothed out a bit and the FO (First Officer) 500 ft call was on speed sinking 600. We were aligned with the centerline with minimal if any crab required. The cadence of the flare maneuver and power reduction was normal (this was also reaffirmed by the FO) other than that I left the thrust levers slightly cracked open as this sometime seems to helps smooth the landing of a light aircraft. The wind sheared to a tailwind near the end of the flare maneuver and we had what may be a hard landing. The wind changed dramatically enough that I believe we were the last aircraft to land on 23L; though there may have been one more aircraft close behind us. While stopped on the taxiway the FO picked up the new ATIS (issued after our landing); which changed the assigned runway to 5R. The new ATIS wind was 330/9 gust 19.  After parking and securing the aircraft; I informed the mechanic of a possible hard landing and made an entry in the logbook stating such. I did make a slight pitch adjustment when the sink occurred; being mindful not to over pitch. Had I been quick enough to add a bit of power as well; especially with the thrust levers not fully closed; I may have been able to arrest the descent
B747-400 Captain reported they had a hard landing when the wind shifted just before touchdown.