What is the primary consequence of exceeding weight limits in an aircraft?

Exceeding weight limits in an aircraft primarily leads to decreased safety and performance. When an aircraft is overloaded, several critical issues arise.

Firstly, the increased weight affects the aircraft's ability to take off and climb effectively. It may require a longer takeoff roll, increasing the risk of not clearing obstacles during ascent and decreasing overall climb performance. This can lead to dangerous situations, especially in takeoff and landing phases where precision is crucial.

Secondly, an overloaded aircraft can lead to structural stress and potential damage to airframe components, as they are designed to handle specific load limits. This stress can compromise the integrity of the aircraft, leading to failures such as structural deformation or even catastrophic failure during flight.

Additionally, handling and control are significantly impaired when weight limits are exceeded. The aircraft may become less responsive to control inputs, reducing maneuverability and making it more challenging for the pilot to maintain desired flight paths.

In summary, operating an aircraft beyond its weight limits jeopardizes safety and performance by affecting takeoff, structural integrity, and control, making option C the correct and most critical outcome of exceeding weight limits.