Definition
A disruption of airflow through the compressor section of a turbine engine, in which the smooth flow of air over the compressor blades breaks down and the blades temporarily lose their ability to compress the incoming air. This is usually caused by an excessive angle of attack on the compressor blades, which can result from rapid throttle movement, distorted inlet airflow, contaminated or damaged blades, or operation outside the engine's design parameters. Compressor stalls range from a brief, recoverable disturbance to a severe event accompanied by loud bangs, vibration, rising exhaust gas temperature, and possible loss of thrust.
Plain English
The airflow through a jet or turboprop engine's compressor breaks down, so the engine momentarily stops pulling air through smoothly. It can range from a small hiccup to a loud bang with shaking and a sudden loss of power.
Context Anchor
Encountered in turbine-engine ground training, engine operation discussions, throttle-use guidance, and abnormal or emergency procedures.
Derivation
"Compressor" refers to the front section of a turbine engine that squeezes incoming air before fuel is added and burned. "Stall" here is the same idea as a wing stall — the blades inside the compressor are small airfoils, and when their angle of attack gets too high, airflow separates from them just like it does from a stalled wing. Knowing this connection helps: a compressor stall isn't the engine quitting, it's the blades inside losing their grip on the air.
Why Pilots Care
Compressor stalls produce sudden thrust loss and risk of engine damage, demanding prompt pilot correction to maintain safe flight.
Intuition Check
Do not confuse compressor stalls with an aerodynamic stall of the wing. A compressor stall happens inside a turbine engine; the airplane may still be flying normally while the engine airflow is disrupted.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor explained that slamming the throttles forward in a turbine engine can cause compressor stalls, so power changes should be made smoothly.
Example Sentence 2
During a high-angle-of-attack recovery exercise, smooth power management prevented compressor stalls.