Definition
A violent, often fatal crash sequence in which an airplane strikes the ground with one wingtip first, causing the aircraft to rotate end-over-end about that wingtip. In the engine-failure-after-takeoff context, it typically results from attempting a steep turn back to the runway at low altitude and low airspeed, where a wingtip stalls or contacts the ground before the rest of the airplane.
Plain English
When an airplane hits the ground with one wingtip and tumbles sideways like a cartwheel. It is one of the worst possible outcomes of a low, steep turn after losing engine power on takeoff.
Context Anchor
Encountered in emergency landing discussions, especially after an engine failure after takeoff when the pilot may need to land in rough or uneven terrain.
Derivation
From the playground cartwheel, where a person rotates sideways with arms and legs extended like the spokes of a wheel. The airplane does the same thing, pivoting around a wingtip that has caught the ground.
Why Pilots Care
At low altitude there is insufficient height to recover, so the airplane strikes the ground while still rolling.
Grounding Statement
Picture one wingtip catching in the dirt and the airplane being pulled over that wing instead of sliding straight ahead.
Intuition Check
Cartwheeling does not mean a normal turn or a simple bounce. It means the airplane is tumbling or flipping because part of it catches or strikes the ground.
Example Sentence 1
Trying to turn back to the runway after an engine failure on climb-out can lead to a wingtip stall and cartwheeling into the ground.
Example Sentence 2
Stalling with one wing low often leads to cartwheeling into the terrain.