what is " plane flicked on its back"?

Question

see this following paragraph.

Suddenly te plane flicked on its back. Then it was swerving wildly between the river banks, just ten feet above the water, and completely upside down. He caught and held her there, and then it was coming at me and the bridge, an impossible sight with its damn great floats sticking up at the sky.

He could't try and roll right-side-up without sticking in a wing, so he did the only thing he could: push on full power and tried to fly her out upside down, over the bridge. And he almost did it.

I just can not set up the whole situation. how does the plane change its directions from the beginning? especially flick thing.



The propeller touched and the smooth water exploded into spray. The tail whiped over and the whole plane jumped clear of the water.

thanks to scouse.
but what is the flicked on its back, at the beginning???

it is flicked. I am so sure about it.

Answer 1

It doesnt matter if it is flip or flick for both are synonyms. What is described there is inverted flight. Writers usually use the non technical terms for the aesthetics and this appears to be one.

As a matter of fact, judging from the context of the text, it would be improper to describe how the pilot used a series of control surface deflection to acheive and maintain inverted flight. The third person narrative of the event is better done by the usage of the term "flick" which would also enhance the rapidity of the half-roll.

Answer 2

I am not a pilot,but I know it is possible to roll an aircraft over using the airlerons and rudder so that the plane is flying upside down. This is known as inverted flight.The aircraft might be more difficult to control in this mode and the pilot very experienced to maintain control.Watch some films of aircraft aerobatics and the manouvres they can perform are astounding.

Answer 3

Flicked on it's back is the same as flipped on it's back.

Answer 4

Is the paragraph supposed to be saying "flipped on it's back"?

Answer 5

Crashed!