Plain English Meaning

When an aircraft taxis or takes off through standing water, the engine can suck water into the place where it normally sucks in air. Engines need air to run, so taking in water instead can make the engine stumble or quit.

Full Definition

The hazard in which significant amounts of standing or flowing water on a runway, taxiway, or ramp are drawn into a piston engine's induction system, causing partial or total loss of engine power. Water can enter through the air intake or be thrown up by the propeller and tires, disrupting the air-fuel mixture or hydraulically locking the cylinders.

Context Anchor

Seen in discussions of flight through , spray, wet runway operations, and where water can be drawn into the engine intake.