Although a well-documented and actually quite common phenomenon, it wasn't until the late 1970s that the cause was found - disturbance of fluid in the inner ear due to the Coriolus Effect, the same force that causes water to rotate clockwise down a sink in the Southern hemisphere, and counter-clockwise in the Northern hemisphere.

Large passenger aircraft which operate in the Southern hemisphere, such as 747s, are all fitted with alarm systems which warn the pilots when the plane is banking more than 45 degrees.