in a flat spin

In a state of increasing panic, agitation, or desperation, especially as may lead to failure, decline, or stagnation. In aviation, a "flat spin" refers to the motion of an aircraft that has spun out of control. With the former champions currently in a bewildering flat spin, the door is wide open for some ambitious underdog to climb the ranks and seize the title. The country's economy has been in a flat spin ever since its real estate market crashed a couple years ago.

in (or into) a flat spin

in (or into) a state of agitation or panic. British informal

A flat spin is literally an aerobatic manoeuvre in which an aircraft descends in tight circles while remaining almost horizontal.

2004 BBC Popular Music Reviews Not only is this album rich in highly slanderous spurts, there is also enough copyright violation here to send any record company lawyer in to a flat spin.