What does an aircraft experience during a stall?

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An aircraft experiences a stall when it loses lift due to exceeding the critical angle of attack. The critical angle of attack is the angle at which the airflow can no longer smoothly adhere to the wing surface, leading to a significant decrease in lift. As a result, the aircraft may begin to descend or behave uncontrollably. This phenomenon occurs regardless of the aircraft's speed or altitude and is critical for pilots to understand as it can lead to dangerous situations if not managed properly. Recognizing and avoiding stalls is fundamental to safe flying, particularly during maneuvers that bring the aircraft closer to that critical angle of attack.