Analysis of a Stall Spin

We get a detailed look at a real stall spin incident from inside the cockpit and take a look at the critical items involved here: Change in stall speed with bank angle, skidding the turn, recognizing the recovery, and maintaining a safe speed when close to terrain.

Have you ever encountered an unexpected stall situation? Please share your story in the comments.

Visit the Soaring page store for nice glider swag


YouTube videos used in this production:

[Coops]

What a great demonstration! I love how easy it is to see the un-stalling of the wing by down pitch via the stick and the opposite rudder to stop the spin.

[mitchellkaye]

Very concise. Real life, inadvertent demo. Thanks to you and the pilot

[DJMeesters]

Thank you for sharing both the video and the explanation. Even with thousands of hours in the air it is important to keep up with the basics and you’re helping me being a better pilot 💪🏼

[petercmorris]

Thanks Bill, very instructional. Did you notice the cell phone in his right hand. I wonder if the distraction contributed.

[The_Modeling_Underdog]

Excellent video, Bill. Thanks for the breakdown.

[waltercutipa]

Estimado, su video es muy instructivo y no deja duda alguna, lo felicito y agradezco sus aportes. Saludos desde Argentina.

[scheerlon]

this glider has some serious back hair! 0:13
joking aside, very good video, thanks!

[siliconebobsqpts]

I flew a 1-36 quite a few years ago and one thing I vividly remember is that it was quite pitch sensitive . Hitting some turbulence in a tight turn could easily cause some stick backpressure, combined with the sensitivity could have contributed to the spin . I was amazed at how much altitude he lost, I believe he was in an area of sinking air as well, I've come to associate cloud shadows on the ground with sink .
It's a shame the video ends with a cliff hanger ....did he have a low save or land out? Not too many landing options .

[kmg]

That sure looked pretty darn scary. But then again I'm not a pilot.

[spinynorman]

I never understood calling it a "stall spin". Mainly because I have never heard of a spin that didn't begin with a stall. It's like calling an automobile race a "straight line drag race". Drag races don't have turns.