Plain English Meaning

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.

Full 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.

Context Anchor

Encountered in emergency landing discussions, especially after an engine failure after takeoff when may need to land in rough or uneven .