Originally Posted by
ManaAdaSystem
Very interesting picture!
Gear down could mean;
A: He was trying to land. This means he had some control of the aircraft.
B: There is an option of lowering the gear for/during emergency descent on the NG if structural integrity is in doubt. Gear down speed is .82 so normally below your cruise speed.
C: Damage to the uplock(s).
Looks like the right wing is "intacted" while the left wing was ripped off... maybe a failed forced land where they hit a tree and flipped upside down. In this case don't you think that to try to ditch on a river would be a better option if you had a chance to?