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Aircraft belly landing following extended touchdown (PH551)

Shawbury AFB, United KingdomLanding (descent or approach)

On January 30, 1952, an Avro 652 Anson (registration PH551) operated by Royal Air Force - RAF was involved in an aviation accident near Shawbury AFB, United Kingdom during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot retracted the landing gear while the aircraft was still rolling after an extended touchdown, causing the plane to slide on its belly. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft sustained significant damage after the pilot performed a long landing and subsequently retracted the landing gear during the rollout.

What happened

During the landing phase of the flight, the pilot-in-command executed a landing that extended significantly beyond the intended touchdown point. Following the contact with the runway, the pilot made the decision to retract the undercarriage while the aircraft was still in motion. This action caused the aircraft to settle onto its belly. The resulting friction caused the plane to slide for several yards across the surface before finally coming to a stop.

Findings

  • There were no fatalities or injuries reported as a result of this incident.
  • The aircraft sustained damage that was classified as beyond repair.
  • The primary factor in the accident was the pilot's decision to raise the landing gear after touchdown.

Probable cause

The pilot retracted the landing gear while the aircraft was still rolling after an extended touchdown, causing the plane to slide on its belly.

Related events

Same operator

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