Definition
A crosswind landing technique in which the airplane's nose is held pointed into the wind by an angle sufficient to make the airplane's ground track align with the runway centerline, while the wings remain level. The crab angle is maintained throughout the approach and is removed just before touchdown by applying rudder to align the longitudinal axis with the runway.
Plain English
A way of approaching the runway in a crosswind where you point the nose slightly into the wind so the airplane drifts straight down the runway centerline, even though it isn't pointing exactly where it's going.
Context Anchor
Used during landing approaches when wind is blowing across the runway.
Derivation
Named after how a crab walks sideways. The airplane's nose points one direction while the airplane actually moves in another, similar to a crab moving across a beach.
Why Pilots Care
It keeps the airplane on the intended path over the ground in crosswinds, reducing the chance of drifting off the runway during the approach.
Intuition Check
Crabbed does not mean the approach is careless or accidentally crooked. It means the airplane is deliberately angled into the wind while still moving toward the runway.
Example Sentence 1
With a strong crosswind from the left, the pilot flew a crabbed approach, nose angled into the wind to track the centerline.
Example Sentence 2
Just before touchdown the pilot removed the crab by aligning the nose with the runway while beginning the flare.