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Source- This post on the Wing Stall has been created based on the article “Was the recent Kathmandu plane crash caused by a ‘wing stall’?” published in “Indian Express” on 1 August 2024.
Why in the news?
Recently, a Bombardier CRJ200 operated by Nepal’s Saurya Airlines crashed near the runway at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. One of the possible reasons for the crash is being attributed to wing stall which put the plane in an ‘unusual attitude’, leading to the aircraft banked steeply to the right before crashing.
About Unusual Attitude
Normal attitudes include straight and level flight, controlled climbs, and descents.
Unusual Attitude- It refers to the aircraft’s abnormal position relative to Earth’s horizon. Unusual attitudes include excessive nose-high, steep dives, or excessive right or left rolls. An unusual attitude can lead to a stall if not corrected.
About Wing Stall
A wing stall occurs when one wing stalls before the other. It causes the aircraft to roll into an excessive bank.
Mechanism- A stall occurs when the wings stop generating lift. In a wing stall, one wing loses lift first, causing the aircraft to bank excessively. Ailerons, which are the wing control surfaces, become ineffective during a wing stall.
Recovery Method- The recovery from a wing stall involves pushing the nose down to reduce the angle of attack, applying rudder opposite to the dropped wing, keeping ailerons neutral, and adding power.
| Angle of Attack- The angle of attack is the angle at which the wings meet the oncoming airflow. It is crucial for generating lift. |
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