What phenomenon can occur due to ground effect during landing?

During landing, ground effect refers to the aerodynamic interaction between the aircraft and the surface of the Earth, which can significantly affect the aircraft's performance as it approaches the ground. When an aircraft is flying close to the ground, particularly within one wingspan of the surface, it experiences an increase in lift and a decrease in drag. This phenomenon can lead to the aircraft "floating," which is characterized by the aircraft remaining airborne longer than anticipated before making contact with the runway.

When a pilot is not prepared for this reduced sink rate created by ground effect, they may delay the landing and allow the aircraft to float above the runway. This situation can lead to a bounced landing if the aircraft's landing gear makes contact with the runway while still carrying significant lift. The excess lift caused by ground effect can cause the aircraft to bounce back into the air, potentially leading to difficulties in controlling the descent on the subsequent approach to the runway. This is why the phenomenon of floating and bounced landings is closely associated with ground effect during landing.

Other options do not accurately capture the primary effects of ground effect during landing. Increased lift leading to a higher landing speed is not applicable, as typically the lift would actually result in a lower landing speed. A reduction in overall fuel efficiency generally