crash landing
Uncontrolled arrival earthward
A crash landing is an emergency landing in which an aircraft hits the ground with more force than intended, typically causing damage.
The term implies survival—a crash landing is better than a crash.
The pilot executed a crash landing in a field after the engine failed.
Figuratively, any rough or uncontrolled arrival: My return to work after vacation was a crash landing.
- ditchingHastily discarding something
- set downPlace or record formally
- controlled descentIntentional, regulated falling
- maydayRadio emergency signal
- distress signalAlert requesting urgent aid
wreckage · black box · nosedive · brace · brace for impact · aircraft · flight recorder · ejection seat · parachute · impact · emergency evacuation · skid · debris · flames · pilot · dead stick · terrain · rescue
- aviation disastersmidair collision, crashes, runway accident, disintegration, tailspin
- flight eventstakeoff, liftoff, flight, launch, descent
- spacecraft landingsplashdown, touchdown, controlled descent, retrorocket, retrorockets
- aviationaircraft, airports, flying, flight, airplane
- emergency responsefirst responders, emergency services, fire alarm, 911, call 911
- crashesaccident, collision, head-on collision, pileup, side collision