What can result from inadequate understanding of structural loads during airframe design?

Inadequate understanding of structural loads during airframe design can lead to heightened risks of structural failure. This is because if designers do not accurately account for the various loads that an aircraft will experience—such as aerodynamic forces, gravitational loads, and dynamic pressures—they may underestimate or miscalculate the strength requirements of the structural components. As a result, the aircraft may not be able to withstand the stresses encountered during operation, which can lead to structural failure during critical phases of flight, such as takeoff, cruising, or landing.

The other choices reflect outcomes that are generally desirable or unrelated to the consequences of poor load understanding, such as improved performance or cost savings, which might not be achievable if the airframe is compromised due to inadequate structural considerations.