If the engine is designed to recover on its own after a compressor stall, what is the recommended action for the pilot?

• A. Continue applying high thrust.
• B. Maintain aircraft control.
• C. Immediately shut down the engine.
• D. Decline to respond and wait for ground control.

Answer: (B)

When a compressor stall occurs, the engine may briefly surge and lose power, but if the engine is designed to recover on its own, the priority is to keep the airplane safe and controllable. The best action for the pilot is to maintain aircraft control—keep the wings level, maintain a stable pitch and airspeed, and stay coordinated—so the airplane remains controllable while the engine self-recovers. Avoid aggressive throttle changes or shuting the engine down immediately, because those moves can worsen the transient, increase workload, or remove power you still need during the recovery. Ground control timing isn’t the factor here; the immediate focus is on stability and safe flight, letting the engine return to normal operation on its own.