Belly landing is an aviation term that refers to an emergency landing where the aircraft's undercarriage is not fully deployed, resulting in the belly of the aircraft contacting the ground during landing. The word "belly" is spelled as /ˈbɛli/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the stress on the first syllable. "Landing" is spelled as /ˈlændɪŋ/, with the stress on the second syllable. The spelling of "belly landing" is straightforward, with each word being spelled phonetically as it is pronounced.
Belly landing refers to a landing technique used primarily in aviation where an aircraft touches down on its underbelly without utilizing its landing gear. This term is predominantly associated with emergency landings or situations where the landing gear malfunctions or fails to extend properly.
During a belly landing, the aircraft's pilot skillfully maneuvers the aircraft to approach the landing strip or desired surface with the belly of the aircraft facing downward. The landing is executed by sliding the underside of the aircraft along the ground until it comes to a halt. This technique is typically employed as a last resort to reduce the risk of a more catastrophic crash landing.
Belly landings are considered precarious and potentially dangerous maneuvers that require precise control and awareness from the pilot. The aircraft's underbelly, which is not typically designed or reinforced for contact with the ground, can sustain severe damage during the landing process. Consequently, fire and rescue services are placed on standby during belly landing scenarios due to the increased risk of fires or other emergencies.
This landing technique has been employed in various historical aviation situations, where pilots have successfully executed belly landings to save lives and minimize damages. Nevertheless, belly landings are generally regarded as emergency measures and are not a standard operating procedure or desirable outcome in aviation.
The word "belly landing" is a term that originated in the aviation industry. It refers to a landing maneuver in which an aircraft lands without the use of its landing gear, causing the aircraft's underbelly (or belly) to make contact with the ground.
The etymology of "belly landing" is relatively straightforward. The term is a compound noun, consisting of the word "belly", which refers to the front part of one's torso or the underside of an animal's body, and "landing", referring to the act of an aircraft touching down on the ground.
It is worth noting that the term "belly landing" is mainly associated with emergency landings or situations where the landing gear fails to deploy. In such cases, the pilot must skillfully maneuver the aircraft to land safely on its underside, using the belly as a makeshift landing surface.