If a plane loses its landing gear, it will likely have to perform what's known as a belly landing or gear-up landing, where the aircraft lands on its underside.
Belly Landing Explained
A belly landing, or gear-up landing, happens when a plane lands without its landing gear fully extended. The aircraft uses its belly as the primary landing surface. This is obviously not ideal, but pilots are trained to handle such emergencies.
Here’s a breakdown of what typically occurs:
- Emergency Declaration: The pilots declare an emergency to air traffic control, explaining the situation.
- Troubleshooting: The pilots attempt to resolve the issue, trying various methods to deploy the landing gear.
- Preparation: The crew prepares the cabin for a crash landing, instructing passengers on brace positions and emergency procedures.
- Controlled Descent: The pilots fly the plane to a suitable runway, aiming for a smooth, controlled descent.
- Touchdown: The plane touches down on its belly, ideally on a foam-covered runway (if available) to reduce friction and the risk of fire.
- Evacuation: Once the plane comes to a complete stop, passengers are quickly evacuated.
Potential Consequences
- Damage to the Aircraft: The aircraft will definitely sustain damage to its underside. The extent of the damage depends on the landing speed, the surface of the runway, and the skill of the pilot.
- Risk of Fire: Friction between the aircraft's belly and the runway can create sparks and potentially ignite fuel, leading to a fire.
- Passenger Safety: While pilots are trained to minimize risk, there is always a chance of injury to passengers and crew during a belly landing.
Prevention and Mitigation
Airlines have strict maintenance schedules to minimize the chance of landing gear failure. Pilots also undergo rigorous training to handle emergency situations like a gear-up landing. Fire retardant foam can be sprayed on the runway to further reduce the risk of fire.
