What happens during a stall in an aircraft?

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When an aircraft experiences a stall, the critical factor is that its angle of attack exceeds the design limit for lift generation. This results in a significant decrease in lift. As a consequence, the aircraft begins to lose altitude because there is insufficient lift to counteract the weight of the airplane. The stall affects the airflow over the wings, causing the smooth airflow to separate and resulting in turbulence that severely diminishes lift.

In contrast to the other options, a stall does not lead to an uncontrollable increase in speed, as maintaining or increasing speed typically requires adequate lift. The aircraft does not remain stable at all angles of attack; rather, it becomes unstable above the critical angle of attack. Lastly, while an engine failure can lead to various flight characteristics, it is not a direct result of a stall. The stall itself is primarily about the aerodynamic relationship between the wing's angle of attack and lift, rather than engine performance.

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