PA-24 Comanche
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 150; Flight Crew Total 7000; Flight Crew Type 3500
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Object; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged
Human Factors; Weather
While conducting a Flight Review; my client pilot was practicing a power-off 180-degree approach to landing (simulated emergency) when we encountered wind shear. The winds were approximately 13 gusting 18 knots from 210 and the aircraft was on a modified left base while angling toward Runway XX at ZZZ. The descent path was normal for a glide to the beginning of the runway and airspeed was approximately 85 KT. At about 1;000 feet from the runway and 300 feet AGL; the pilot lowered the landing gear while passing into the lee of a dense woodlot that stands about 600 feet south and west of the extended runway centerline; and there we experienced a sudden and dramatic loss of airspeed; down to approximately 65 knots. (Of course; some loss of airspeed was expected as the gear deployed.) I called for power as the aircraft began to pitch down and descend. (The Pilot Flying was guarding the throttle.) I continued to shout for more power over the next 2-3 seconds as the aircraft descended to perhaps 15 feet AGL; still 500 feet short of the runway.I took control of the airplane as the pilot brought in full power. We were now grazing the tops of the corn in the field below us and I could see a 15' fence coming up quickly. I felt we had very little angle of attack available - perhaps just enough to climb 10' to clear the fence. I increased elevator as much as I dared; then lowered the nose again once past the fence. Because of our low airspeed and high angle of attack; though the propeller cleared the fence; the top of a fence post contacted and tore the skin of the airplane's belly just aft of the gear legs. As airspeed slowly recovered; I climbed to perhaps 20 feet AGL; then reduced power as we reached the runway and made a normal landing. I have been flying for more than XX years and I have never experienced such a dramatic loss of airspeed. My corrective action to prevent a similar crisis will include the following.1. I will not use the actual beginning of runways to practice power-off landings; but instead have clients treat the touch down zone (1;000 feet down the runway) as their landing target.2. I will be more prepared to push; move; or overpower client pilots if they do not immediately respond to verbal instructions. 3. I will be more mindful of the potential for wind shear; especially when operating downwind of significant obstacles (the wood lot; in this case) on windy days.
PA-24 Flight Instructor reported windshear on approach to landing.