Compressor stall
![An animation of an axial compressor showing both the stator and rotor blades.](/Images/godic/202501/11/Axial_compressor4836.gif")
![US Airways Flight 1549, an Airbus A320, floating in the Hudson River after bird strikes caused compressor stalls and complete failure of both engines.](/Images/godic/202501/11/Plane_crash_into_Hudson_Rivercroped4836.jpg")
A compressor stall is a local disruption of the airflow in a gas turbine or turbocharger compressor. It is related to compressor surge which is a complete disruption of the flow through the compressor. Stalls range in severity from a momentary power drop (occurring so quickly it is barely registered on engine instruments) to a complete loss of compression (surge) necessitating a reduction in the fuel flow to the engine.