belly-land

[bel-ee-land]

verb (used with object)

1. (of an aviator) to land (an aircraft) directly on the fuselage, as because of defective landing gear.

verb (used without object)

1. (of an aircraft) to land directly on the fuselage, without using the landing gear.

Word History and Origins

Origin of belly-land¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Returning from his 33rd mission, the mammoth Feb. 3, 1945, air raid on Berlin, Mr. Spiegel managed to belly-land on a frozen potato field in Reczyn, Poland.

From New York Times

I think, too, if we belly-land——Better go around again, huh?”

From Project Gutenberg

But there is a chance I can belly-land without that grenade blowing.

From Project Gutenberg