What occurs during a spin in aircraft flight?

During a spin in aircraft flight, the aircraft enters an uncontrolled descent characterized by a rapid rotation. This phenomenon occurs when one wing generates significantly less lift than the other, often due to a stall condition. The aircraft then spirals downward, typically resulting from a combination of bank and yaw, which can cause the aircraft to rotate around its center of gravity.

In a spin, the aircraft will not maintain stable altitude, as it is descending. Additionally, it does not merely rotate about its vertical axis; rather, the rotation is coupled with a steep nose-down attitude and loss of altitude. Lastly, spins do not result in the aircraft gaining altitude; instead, they lead to a dangerous loss of height and can be challenging to recover from without proper training and techniques. Understanding the mechanics of spins is crucial for pilots to ensure safe flight operations and recovery from such conditions.