North Queensland MP Robbie Katter says he has had a big "wake-up call" after he forgot to put the landing gear down on his plane, moments before landing at Mount Isa Airport.
The Katter's Australian Party state leader and experienced pilot was attempting to land his four-seater aircraft on Sunday afternoon when he realised his wheels were still up.
He said it was too late to abort the landing, and the 1985 Mooney M20 landed on its undercarriage and skidded 50 metres before coming to a standstill.
The aircraft remains propped up on pallets at Mount Isa Airport, while waiting for repairs.
"I'm fine, it's just the ego that hurts," Mr Katter said.
"I think everyone knows politicians have a pretty big ego but I'll get through it."
"It's important to remember that things can go wrong if you're not paying attention, when you get tired, and you're not disciplined in your response.
"We all want to get home safely to see our loved ones and, reflecting on that, I am angry at myself."
Mr Katter said: "The wallet is also a bit damaged as well."
"It's like watching your favourite pub burn down, seeing your beloved aircraft damaged and that you were responsible for it."
Mr Katter said he had been flying from his electorate office in Charters Towers to his home in Mount Isa when he experienced the "wheels up" landing.
"I'd had a big week in [regional] parliament, I'd worked all weekend, and was trying to get home on the Sunday afternoon," he said.
"It was a lapse in concentration and I've paid a big price.
"Sadly, it does happen in aviation.
"I never thought it could happen to me."
He said the plane had been travelling faster than normal on approach to the runway and he tried to troubleshoot.
"It was the point before touchdown that I realised what was going on," he said.
"The aircraft was lined up, so it was in a good configuration to land and surprisingly went very straight, right down the middle of the runway.
"I'd managed to slow it down by then but it kept going for about 50 metres before it stopped."
It took the Traeger MP four years to obtain his pilot's licence and cost him $50,000.
He said flying was necessary to be able to do his job properly in his vast north-west Queensland electorate.
He said insurance assessors were still working on the damage bill and he was prepared to speak about the "embarrassing" belly landing.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is aware of the incident.
