The tricky part of downwind landings is the necessity to extend your
traffic pattern's Downwind Leg (actually against the wind in the case
of a downwind landing) WELL BEYOND (perhaps double or more) what you
are accustomed to in a normal into-the-wind landing. If you fail to
do this, you will overshoot.


You are getting close to one of the answers.

Yes with a downwind landing you much more likely to overshoot. Since
you may overshoot you are much more likely need to Go Around. On the
Go around two more things happen. One, your climb out will climb out
at a much lower angle which may make it difficult or impossible to
clear obstacles. 2nd you will be close to the ground with a higher
than normal ground speed. The illusion of speed when combined with
approaching obstacles will make you want to climb a slower than normal
airspeed setting you up for a perfect Stall/Spin scenerio.

In fact I know of several Stall spins that have occurred exactly this
way.

One of my favorite demostrations is to simulate a power failure on a
windy day (and no one else in the pattern) when the only runway option
is the downwind runway. Once the student shown me they have they have
the runway made or they overshoot, (as they often do) I request a go
around so they can see how poor the climb angle really is when
departing downwind. With a 15 to 20kt tailwind in a C-150 or Tomahawk
this climbout can be impressively low.

Brian
CFIIG/ASEL