What is the initial action to take when recovering from a stall with one operating engine?

When recovering from a stall with one operating engine, the initial action should be to pitch for airspeed. This is critical because maintaining or regaining airspeed is essential for recovery from a stall condition. Pitching for airspeed helps to regain the necessary lift and control of the aircraft.

In a multi-engine environment, particularly during single-engine operations, the stall characteristics can significantly differ due to the asymmetrical thrust. By pitching the nose of the aircraft down gently to break the stall, the pilot can increase the angle of attack and thus help the wings generate lift again as airspeed increases. This action is fundamental to re-establishing control and ensuring the aircraft recovers safely.

Other actions like turning the aircraft, descending for speed, or retracting flaps may not address the immediate need to break the stall condition or could complicate the recovery process. Maintaining the correct pitch to re-establish airspeed is the priority in a stall recovery scenario.