The vortex ring state, also known as settling with power, is a dangerous condition that may arise in helicopter flight, when a vortex ring system engulfs the rotor causing severe loss of lift. Essentially, the helicopter descends into its own downwash. When the condition arises, increasing the rotor power merely feeds the vortex motion without generating additional lift. This condition also occurs with tiltrotors, and was responsible for an accident involving a V-22 Osprey.
Read more about Vortex Ring State: Description, Pilot Reaction
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