What is the wreckage diagram for Low Speed - High Angle?

• A. Centralized wreckage
• B. Inertia breakup
• C. Likely a stall / spin
• D. "perfect circle"

Answer: (D)

When an aircraft is at low speed with a high angle of attack, it tends to stall and enter a spin. During a spin, the airplane rotates about its center of gravity while descending, which tends to spread wreckage in a roughly circular fashion around the impact point. That symmetric, ring-like distribution is why a perfect circle is the best depiction for this scenario. Other patterns don’t fit this situation as well: centralized wreckage suggests little horizontal travel, inertia breakup implies high-energy fragmentation with irregular scatter, and a stall/spin often shows a spiraling or elongated debris pattern rather than a neat circle.