Flange, I agree.
I was going to bring up the windshear analogy myself. Another comparison is a rotating blade, or model a/c on a string, in a wind; constant g/s but changing a/s.
As you say, there are so many other variables that it is pointless getting fixated by it. I have lost a very close friend in a Bulldog, and a colleague in a Super Puma, through accidents through turning downwind at low level, but I would not argue that they were caused by the effect we are discussing. ie They were as a result of the visual illusion that every one refers too.
Anyway, best to use caution what ever the dynamics of the situation.