In aviation, a ground loop is a rapid rotation of a fixed-wing aircraft in the horizontal plane (yawing) while on the ground. Aerodynamic forces may cause the advancing wing to rise, which may then cause the other wingtip to touch the ground. In severe cases, the inside wing can dig in, causing the aircraft to swing violently or even cartwheel. In their early gliding experiments, the Wright Brothers referred to this action as well-digging.
A Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-8 replica in a ground loop caused by a failure of the right-hand wheel brake. The right main undercarriage is collapsing.
The Schleicher ASK 23 is a single-seat glider suitable for new pilots. It has a nose-wheel, and its main wheel is behind the centre of gravity. This avoids the risk of ground-looping at commencement of takeoff in a crosswind behind a tow plane.
Conventional landing gear
Conventional landing gear, or tailwheel-type landing gear, is an aircraft undercarriage consisting of two main wheels forward of the center of gravity and a small wheel or skid to support the tail. The term taildragger is also used.
A Cessna 150 converted to taildragger configuration by installation of an aftermarket modification kit
Tailwheel detail on a Tiger Moth biplane
Like many attack helicopters, the AgustaWestland Apache has a tailwheel to allow an unobstructed arc of fire for the gun.
Douglas DC-3, a taildragger airliner