Spiral dive of an aeroplane (8)

Latest answer — September 05, 2026

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Clue explained

A TAILSPIN is a dangerous spiral dive in which an aeroplane rotates as it loses altitude. It can also be used figuratively for a state of disorder or decline, though the literal aviation sense is intended here.

Clue type:
Definition
An aeroplane shown rotating downward in a tailspin

Guardian Quick Crossword

This clue's Saturday, September 05, 2026 appearance

Tap a square to reveal a letter.

Or reveal one clue at a time with the Hint and Answer buttons below.

Across

  1. 1Animal-watching expedition - web browser (6)
  2. 4Fermented milk drink (5)
  3. 7Malaysian island state (6)
  4. 8Turn down - rubbish (6)
  5. 9___board (instrument panel) (4)
  6. 10Spiral dive of an aeroplane (8)
  7. 12Handheld kitchen utensil - large crisps (anag) (6,5)
  8. 17Soft illumination before sunrise or after sunset (8)
  9. 19"___ Sesame" (4)
  10. 20___ would be a fine thing (6)
  11. 21I've got it! (6)
  12. 22Poet whose first names were William Butler (5)
  13. 23Metal paper fastener (6)

Down

  1. 1Programming's #! - the whole ___ (7)
  2. 2Weight, bed or duster (7)
  3. 3Is this rugby position likely to be blue? (5,4)
  4. 4Genuflect (5)
  5. 5Awkward mistake (4,3)
  6. 6Feeling regret (6)
  7. 11Not able to wait, restless (9)
  8. 13Folk tale's Arabian woodcutter (3,4)
  9. 14Self-gratifying journey? (3,4)
  10. 15Little spot of colour (7)
  11. 16Gooey - like a twig? (6)
  12. 18Tiny bone in middle ear (5)

The answer to “Spiral dive of an aeroplane (8)” in the The Guardian Quick crossword is TAILSPIN — a 8-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Guardian Quick crossword on September 5, 2026, a Saturday puzzle, at 10-Across. Below you'll find why that fill fits, every other answer we've recorded for this clue, and links into the puzzle it came from.

“Spiral dive of an aeroplane (8)” answer

TAILSPIN (8 letters)

Reveal the solution one letter at a time with the tiles above if you'd rather nudge yourself toward it than see the whole word at once. Just want it outright? The answer is TAILSPIN.

What does TAILSPIN mean?

Reading the plain dictionary sense of TAILSPIN is often the fastest way to see why it answers this clue.

(noun)

  • a spin by an aircraft

When else has “Spiral dive of an aeroplane (8)” appeared?

The Guardian Quick reuses clues across dates, sometimes with a different answer depending on the grid. Here's where this exact clue has shown up, and what the answer was each time — handy when you're checking whether today's fill is the only one.

September 5, 2026 (most recent) → TAILSPIN. We haven't indexed another appearance of this exact clue yet.

Frequently asked questions

What is the answer to “Spiral dive of an aeroplane (8)”?

The answer is TAILSPIN, a 8-letter word. It most recently appeared in the The Guardian Quick crossword on September 5, 2026.

How many letters is the answer to “Spiral dive of an aeroplane (8)”?

8 letters: TAILSPIN.

When did this clue appear?

Most recently in the The Guardian Quick crossword on September 5, 2026 (a Saturday puzzle), at 10-Across.

Can “Spiral dive of an aeroplane (8)” have a different answer?

Yes — The Guardian Quick sometimes reuses a clue with a different solution to fit the grid. The answers we've recorded for each date it appeared are listed above when available.

Where can I find the rest of this day's Guardian Quick answers?

The full grid for September 5, 2026 is on the Guardian Quick answers page, with every clue and answer from that puzzle.

The Guardian Quick Crossword is published by The Guardian; WordHint is an independent site and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher.

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