Commercial Pilot License (CPL) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Rapid or explosive decompression can lead to hypoxia, which is a critical condition characterized by a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the body's tissues. In the context of aviation, this occurs when there is a sudden loss of cabin pressure, causing the ambient air pressure to drop drastically. As a result, the partial pressure of oxygen also decreases, making it difficult for the body to absorb sufficient oxygen, particularly at high altitudes.

In high-altitude environments, where the air is already thin, a sudden drop in pressure can cause the oxygen levels to drop to a point where the body cannot maintain its normal function. This can lead to various symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, impaired judgment, and ultimately, if not addressed quickly, can result in loss of consciousness and even death.

The other options, such as engine overheating, excessive fuel consumption, and navigation errors, do not directly relate to the physiological effects of rapid decompression. While they may be concerns in aviation operations, they are not consequences of sudden pressure loss in the cabin, making hypoxia the primary harmful condition resulting from this scenario.