Narrative:

Thunderstorms on and in vicinity of atlanta airport. Aircraft had been continuously departing runway 9L with no reported problems. We were cleared for takeoff; and performed a normal takeoff and initial climb. At approximately 500-600 ft AGL; we encountered severe wind shear. The airspeed dropped; the stall tape came into view; and we received a wind shear warning. The first officer called for maximum power; spoilers in; I immediately complied; and the first officer followed the command bars for escape guidance. The airspeed stabilized; but the aircraft was unable to climb for an extended period of time (I would guess 20 seconds or so; but I am not sure). ATC had issued a turn to 180; but we continued on runway heading; as I believed a turn was not prudent; also the flight director was commanding straight flight. I advised ATC that we had encountered wind shear. They asked what heading we needed; and at this point we were recovering; so I advised that 180 degrees would now be possible. They asked how much of an airspeed loss we encountered; I don't believe we lost much but I advised a 20 knot loss in order to convey the severity of the wind shear. I believe that fatigue played a significant role in my complacency in accepting the takeoff clearance; considering the weather. The local time was late; approximately 3 hours past my normal sleep time. I adopted the 'lemming' mentality; believing that since many other aircraft had departed without complaint; and ATC had not issued a specific wind shear alert; and I was flying a CRJ900 which has excellent climb performance; that it was safe to depart. I allowed my desire to get to the hotel without further delay interfere with good judgment; as we watched a particularly large cell approach the field; and I did not wait for it to clear the field and departure path. [I] realize that had the wind shear been just a bit stronger we might not have been able to escape; I have more respect for thunderstorms over the departure path; and will take this into consideration in the future.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ATL departure encountered wind shear and was unable to turn as directed; the reporter noting fatigue as playing a significant role in his/her complacency considering the weather.

Narrative: Thunderstorms on and in vicinity of Atlanta airport. Aircraft had been continuously departing Runway 9L with no reported problems. We were cleared for takeoff; and performed a normal takeoff and initial climb. At approximately 500-600 FT AGL; we encountered severe wind shear. The airspeed dropped; the stall tape came into view; and we received a wind shear warning. The First Officer called for maximum power; spoilers in; I immediately complied; and the First Officer followed the command bars for escape guidance. The airspeed stabilized; but the aircraft was unable to climb for an extended period of time (I would guess 20 seconds or so; but I am not sure). ATC had issued a turn to 180; but we continued on runway heading; as I believed a turn was not prudent; also the flight director was commanding straight flight. I advised ATC that we had encountered wind shear. They asked what heading we needed; and at this point we were recovering; so I advised that 180 degrees would now be possible. They asked how much of an airspeed loss we encountered; I don't believe we lost much but I advised a 20 knot loss in order to convey the severity of the wind shear. I believe that fatigue played a significant role in my complacency in accepting the takeoff clearance; considering the weather. The local time was late; approximately 3 hours past my normal sleep time. I adopted the 'lemming' mentality; believing that since many other aircraft had departed without complaint; and ATC had not issued a specific wind shear alert; and I was flying a CRJ900 which has excellent climb performance; that it was safe to depart. I allowed my desire to get to the hotel without further delay interfere with good judgment; as we watched a particularly large cell approach the field; and I did not wait for it to clear the field and departure path. [I] realize that had the wind shear been just a bit stronger we might not have been able to escape; I have more respect for thunderstorms over the departure path; and will take this into consideration in the future.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.