In a graveyard spiral, what is the consequence of pulling back on the control stick?

In a graveyard spiral, pulling back on the control stick tightens the turn and increases the descent rate due to the effect of turns on lift and load factors. When an aircraft is in a banked turn, the load factor increases, leading to a higher stall speed. By pulling back on the control stick, the pilot inadvertently increases the angle of attack, which is usually an attempt to gain altitude or stabilize the aircraft. However, in a graveyard spiral scenario, this action does not result in level flight but rather exacerbates the situation. The aircraft continues to descend rapidly while spiraling tighter due to the combination of the sustained bank angle and increased descent rate.

This understanding is important for pilots because recognizing the characteristics of a graveyard spiral can prevent further deterioration of the flight situation. The dynamics of this scenario demonstrate how initial attempts to correct the flight path can lead to more dangerous outcomes if the underlying issues are not addressed appropriately.