During a graveyard spiral, what might a pilot mistakenly think is happening?

In a graveyard spiral, a pilot might mistakenly think they are in level flight. This phenomenon occurs when a pilot experiences spatial disorientation, often due to flying in low visibility conditions or when fatigued. The pilot may perceive the aircraft to be straight and level due to the lack of visual references outside the cockpit, even though the aircraft is actually in a continuous descending turn.

This misperception is particularly common during a graveyard spiral because the plane is descending while turning, which can lead the pilot to feel as though they are not climbing or descending when, in fact, the aircraft is losing altitude. The sensation of a turn may also contribute to this confusing experience, further solidifying the pilot's false belief that they are flying straight and level. Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for pilots to recognize the importance of instrument flying and maintaining situational awareness, especially in conditions that can lead to disorientation.