State of panic (8)
I believe the answer is:
tailspin
'state of panic' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for tailspin that I've seen before include "Spiral aeroplane dive" , "confused state" , "Chaotic situation" , "Spiral dive of aircraft in trouble" , "Alpinist (anag) -- state of panic" .)