Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Flight Crew Diverted; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Procedure; Company Policy
While departing ZZZ Runway X on the RVAV departure; we experienced a wind shear ahead alert shortly after rotation and after the gear was selected up. While climbing through approximately 500 feet AGL; we entered an area of moderate to severe turbulence followed by a gain and loss of 20+ knots of airspeed. Airspeed excisions were brief in nature; and climb rate decreased from near 3;000 FPM to 1;000 FPM and momentarily less while we transited the wind shear. During this time we also experienced multiple quick rolling and yawing moments that required nearly full control deflection to counter.  Both myself and my First Officer agreed that the aircraft was at times momentarily out of control. It is my recollection that the maximum intensity of the turbulence occurred from 500 feet AGL to approximately 3;500 feet AGL. Again these excursions were very quick left and right rolling and yawing motions. During the event; the aircraft energy state never decayed to a dangerous level; however; we were in a lightly loaded -700 with max thrust selected for wind shear avoidance.  Above 4;000 feet; we experienced continuous moderate turbulence and icing up to 14;000 feet; and only light turbulence above that.  There were no injuries reported; and we did not suspect any aircraft damage. The flight attendants and passengers were briefed before takeoff. Before departure; both myself and the First Officer consulted the Airport Wind System reports as well as reviewed the required wind limits for the departure. The ZZZ Tower and Dispatch were contacted to get a better assessment of what they were seeing with the winds as well.  At the time of the beginning of the takeoff roll; the Tower reported steady state wind from the south east 28 KT gusting to 38 KT. The Airport Wind System alert was not functioning; however;  [other weather station's] wind and the gust 2-6 Airport Wind System was reporting. All wind reports were within limits at the time of takeoff; and had been for most of the morning. The Dispatcher reported the 8 High Airport Wind System Alert was intermittent all morning. Both myself and my First Officer briefed the departure and took steps necessary to mitigate the perceived threats. Wind shear take off procedures and power settings were used during the take off.  After level off; myself and the First Officer consulted the FOM and we were in agreement that we experienced a situation where the aircraft was momentarily not in positive control. A pilot report of MOD to SEV turbulence was relayed to ARTCC as well as company. Dispatch was consulted at this time; and a plan was made to divert to ZZZ1 for maintenance inspection as Maintenance did not want the aircraft stuck in ZZZ2. The remainder of the flight was uneventful. Ensuring Airport Wind System has full functionality and wind profiles are working to the greatest extent possible.
Preparing for departure from ZZZ we looked at weather reports including the ZZZ Airport Wind System and PIREPS.  Nothing indicated that we would encounter anything greater than moderate turbulence as we took off from Runway X. Shortly after liftoff we encountered moderate turbulence and at about 1;000 ft AGL received a 'Windshear Ahead' alert.  We then experienced approximately 30 - 45 seconds of severe turbulence. We gave ATC a PIREP and overflew our original destination of ZZZ2 at the request of Dispatch and Maintenance control to get the plane to a maintenance base.
B37-700 flight crew reported after encountering severe turbulence and wind shear; it was decided to overfly the destination airport and divert to a maintenance base.