backtrack
v.to go back to a previous place or time. In aviation, it means a pilot has to fly back to the airport because of a problem.
v.to return to a previous position, time, or state. In an aviation context, it refers to the act of reversing course to return to the departure airport due to an emergency or mechanical failure.
“The pilot had to backtrack because of the storm.”
“After the engine failed shortly after takeoff, the pilot decided to backtrack to the airport for a safe landing.”
“The flight crew was forced to backtrack toward the coast as the weather system rapidly deteriorated, leaving them with no other safe option for an emergency landing.”
“What erodes trust is vagueness, backtracking and the sense that someone is managing you rather than leveling with you.”
“He hesitates, smiles sheepishly, backtracks and gabbles to fill the silence.”
From back + track.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.