Avoiding the Cross-Controlled Stall

According to the FAAs Airplane Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-3A, this type of stall occurs with the controls crossed-aileron pressure applied in one direction and rudder pressure in the opposite direction. In addition, when excessive back-elevator pressure is applied, a cross-control stall may result. This is a stall that is most apt to occur during a poorly planned and executed base-to-final approach turn, and often is the result of overshooting the centerline of the runway during that turn. The greatest danger from the cross-controlled stall when turning final is not the stall itself but the lack of altitude available within which the pilot may recover.

Key Takeaways:

• A cross-control stall results from applying opposite aileron and rudder pressure, often with excessive back-elevator, typically during a poorly executed base-to-final approach turn when overshooting the runway centerline.
• The greatest danger of this stall is the insufficient altitude for recovery, rather than the stall itself.
• To prevent it, pilots should avoid steeply banked turns (keeping banks under 30 degrees), plan turns to final carefully, and execute a go-around if opposite control inputs are needed.

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