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belly-land

American  
[bel-ee-land] / ˈbɛl iˌlænd /

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.

Etymology

Origin of belly-land

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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