What happens during a stall?

During a stall, the critical factor is the separation of airflow over the wing. When the angle of attack increases beyond a certain point—known as the stall angle—the airflow can no longer remain attached to the wing's surface. This separation leads to a significant and rapid loss of lift, which can cause the aircraft to lose altitude unexpectedly.

Unlike the scenario where lift increases or the aircraft enters a free fall, the stall is characterized by the inability of the wings to generate sufficient lift due to the disrupted airflow. While thrust from the engines may play a role in the aircraft's overall performance, the immediate and defining characteristic of a stall is the loss of lift caused by airflow separation. Understanding this concept is crucial for pilots, as recognizing the onset of a stall allows for appropriate recovery techniques to be employed.