graveyard spiral
sensation
Quick Summary
The "graveyard spiral" is a phenomenon of spatial disorientation experienced by pilots. It occurs when the sensation of turning is lost during a banked turn. This can lead to a pilot mistakenly believing they are losing altitude and pulling back on the controls, which can induce a spiral motion. This sensation can be disorienting and dangerous, as the pilot may feel they are in a straight, level flight even while spiraling downwards. Thorough pilot training and the use of instruments are crucial to prevent such disorientation.1
Summary created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.