If structural integrity is in doubt during an emergency descent, you should maintain airspeed at or below what?

• A. The airspeed at which the malfunction occurred
• B. The maximum recommended approach speed
• C. A stall speed
• D. A fixed 250 knots

Answer: (A)

When the airframe’s structural integrity is in doubt, the aim is to keep loads within what the airframe can safely handle given the damage. The best choice is to hold the airspeed at the value you were at when the malfunction occurred. That speed reflects the condition of the aircraft at the moment the issue appeared and the load the structure has already proven it can tolerate; flying faster can increase structural loads and risk overstress, while flying significantly slower could lead to a stall or loss of control.

Why the other options don’t fit as well: the maximum recommended approach speed is set for undamaged configurations and normal conditions, so it may exceed what the damaged airframe can safely withstand. Stall speed is about maintaining lift, not about avoiding structural overstress, and using a fixed 250 knots ignores the aircraft’s current condition and can push the airframe beyond its safe limit.