Spot the unusual attitude.

Oct 6, 2026

As you watch the video, ask yourself, what's the attitude?

AClimbing left

The first couple of seconds really were a coordinated left turn, so it makes sense that it stuck with you. But as the pilot flew into IMC, they rolled into a nose-low right turn, which is why VMC into IMC is so dangerous. Without the right training, this is what can happen. From the video, you can see the VSI is pegged at 2,000 down, the altimeter is rapidly unwinding, and the turn coordinator and HSI both show a right turn. Option D is the answer.

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BClimbing right

You read the bank correctly. The attitude indicator, turn coordinator and HSI all agree it's a right turn. But the nose is below the horizon, the VSI is pegged down, the altimeter is unwinding and the airspeed is in the yellow arc. A climb would show the airspeed decaying, not building. Option D is the answer.

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CDescending left

You got the descent right. The VSI, altimeter and airspeed all say the airplane is headed down fast. Those yellow command bars make the attitude indicator harder to read, so check the bank against the turn coordinator and HSI. Both show a turn to the right. Option D is the answer.

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DDescending right

Well done — you got it.

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Pick an answer. You can try as many as you like.

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The explanation

D. Descending right

Check the instruments

Start with the attitude indicator. The miniature airplane sits below the horizon line and is banked to the right. The yellow command bars belong to the flight director. They show where the flight director wants the airplane to go, not where it is, so leave them out when you read attitude.

Then cross-check with the other instruments. The turn coordinator and the HSI both show a turn to the right. The VSI is pegged at 2,000 feet per minute descent, the altimeter is unwinding, and the airspeed has climbed into the yellow arc. The airplane is in a rapidly descending right turn.

The graveyard spiral

A nose-low turn with the airspeed building is the hallmark of a graveyard spiral. It often starts the way this video does, with a pilot who continues VFR into instrument conditions and loses the outside horizon. Without visual cues, the pilot falls back on their sense of bank from their inner-ear and their sense of gravity. The trouble is, these senses are easily tricked, and so they make improper control inputs.

Without proper training, a pilot may attempt to correct the spiraling dive by pulling back on the yoke. Only pulling back to stop the descent tightens the spiral and the plane loses altitude faster.

The recovery

The Instrument Flying Handbook gives the order for a nose-low unusual attitude. Reduce power to stop the airspeed from building. Level the wings with coordinated aileron and rudder, using the turn coordinator. Then raise the nose to level flight with smooth back pressure.