What condition is most likely to cause detonation in an aircraft engine?

Detonation in an aircraft engine is primarily caused by the combustion of the air-fuel mixture occurring in an uncontrolled manner, resulting in explosive combustion that can cause damage to the engine. The use of fuel with too low an octane rating is most likely to cause this condition because low-octane fuel is more prone to pre-ignition and knock, which can contribute to detonation.

Low-octane fuel does not resist compression as effectively as higher-octane fuels, leading to earlier ignition of the fuel-air mixture before the spark plug fires. This premature ignition can result in detonation, as the pressure within the cylinder increases rapidly and can exceed the structural limits of the engine components, potentially leading to catastrophic failure.

While factors such as late ignition timing, the use of fuel with too high an octane rating, and high ambient air temperatures can influence engine performance and may contribute to conditions that can promote detonation, they do not directly lead to detonation to the same extent that low-octane fuel does. High-octane fuels, in particular, are designed to resist detonation and provide smoother engine operation, while late ignition timing is generally more related to pre-ignition issues. Thus, using fuel with too low