Definition
An approach to landing made with the wind behind the airplane rather than against it. The tailwind increases groundspeed, lengthens the landing roll, and reduces the pilot's ability to control descent and touchdown precisely. In an engine failure after takeoff, attempting to turn back to the departure runway typically results in a downwind approach, which is one of the main reasons the maneuver is discouraged.
Plain English
Trying to land while the wind is pushing the airplane from behind instead of slowing it down from in front. The plane arrives faster over the ground and takes much longer to stop.
Context Anchor
Encountered in engine-failure-after-takeoff discussions, especially when considering whether turning back toward the departure runway would force a landing with a tailwind.
Derivation
Combines 'down' (with the direction of) and 'wind.' The aviation sense specifies wind relative to the aircraft path rather than simply restating the words.
Why Pilots Care
Increases groundspeed and required landing distance, raising the risk of overshooting the runway.
Grounding Statement
On a downwind approach, the airplane may feel normal in the air, but the ground moves past faster because the wind is pushing from behind.
Intuition Check
Do not confuse a downwind approach with simply being on the downwind leg of a traffic pattern. Here, downwind means the approach itself is being made with a tailwind.
Example Sentence 1
After the engine quit on climbout, the pilot resisted the urge to turn back, knowing it would commit him to a downwind approach onto a runway that was already short.
Example Sentence 2
A downwind approach demands extra attention to airspeed because the tailwind reduces the margin above stall.