Flat area wherein the plane crashed? (5)

I believe the answer is:

panel

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'flat area wherein the' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'plane crashed?' is the wordplay.
'crashed?' indicates anagramming the letters (I've seen 'crash' mean this).
'plane' anagrammed gives 'PANEL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for panel that I've seen before include "Board for instruments" , "Interviewing group" , "List of doctors" , "Quiz team; part of door" , "a selection of which is put in box" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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