What happens when lift is not sufficient to counteract weight and the critical angle of attack is exceeded?

When lift is not sufficient to counteract the weight of an aircraft and the critical angle of attack is exceeded, the aircraft experiences a stall. A stall occurs when the airflow over the wings reaches a point where it can no longer create adequate lift, primarily due to the wing exceeding its critical angle of attack — the angle at which the wing generates the maximum amount of lift. Beyond this angle, the smooth airflow over the wing separates, leading to a dramatic reduction in lift.

Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for pilots and operators of unmanned aircraft systems, as stalling can occur in various flight conditions and can lead to a loss of control if not managed properly. The stall can result in the aircraft dropping altitude or entering into more complex flight conditions such as spins, but the key event is the stall itself, marked by the loss of lift.

It's important to note that while other choices might relate to various flight scenarios, none directly define the situation described when an aircraft exceeds the critical angle of attack while having insufficient lift.