Which term refers to the rapid descent of an aircraft in a steep spiral?

• A. Dive
• B. Tailspin
• C. Stall
• D. Plummet

Answer: (B)

Tailspin refers to an uncontrolled rotation of an airplane that descends rapidly in a corkscrew-like spiral. This happens when the aircraft loses coordinated control—often after a stall—causing one wing to drop and the aircraft to yaw, so it spirals downward about its vertical axis. The path is steep and circular, not a straight-down plunge. A straight dive is a rapid descent with the nose pitched down along a relatively straight path, lacking the spinning motion. A stall is a loss of lift at high angle of attack and doesn’t by itself imply a rapid, spiraling descent. Plummet is a general term for a fast fall and doesn’t describe the characteristic spiraling motion either.