What is a primary consequence of Mach tuck?

Mach tuck is a phenomenon that occurs in high-speed flight when an aircraft approaches its critical Mach number. At this point, the airflow over the wings begins to change, leading to a nose-down pitching moment. This causes the aircraft to lose lift on the wings, which in turn compromises the effectiveness of the elevators. The wings' angle of attack may need to increase to maintain altitude, but the decreased lift makes it difficult for the elevators to counteract this tendency effectively.

Elevator effectiveness is crucial for maintaining control of the aircraft, especially during high-speed maneuvers. When Mach tuck occurs, the aircraft may experience a significant reduction in the ability to control its pitch attitude, putting the aircraft at risk of a loss of control if not properly managed. Understanding this dynamic helps pilots anticipate potential challenges as they operate at higher speeds, reinforcing the importance of speed management in flight operations.

The other answer choices relate to effects that do not accurately depict Mach tuck's primary consequence. Although increased lift might occur in specific scenarios with different airspeeds, it is not a direct consequence of Mach tuck. Similarly, ground speed is not inherently affected, as this phenomenon relates more to the aircraft's aerodynamic properties rather than its speed over the ground. Increased airflow stability is