A NASA aircraft made an emergency landing at Ellington Field Airport in Houston, Texas, causing sparks to fly along the runway. The WB-57 high-altitude research plane experienced a mechanical issue, resulting in a “gear-up landing,” as confirmed by NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
Bethany Stevens provided updates on social media, stating that the response to the incident is ongoing and all crew members are safe. NASA will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the emergency landing.
Videos shared by local channel KHOU 11 captured the aircraft skidding on its belly, emitting sparks before coming to a stop. Emergency crews assisted a pilot in exiting the cockpit. The aircraft had two pilots on board.
Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports, reported that the NASA aircraft experienced issues while landing on Runway 17R-35L at Ellington Airport. First responders were swiftly deployed, and the runway closure was necessary for the aircraft’s removal.
The exact cause of the landing gear failure remains unknown.
The WB-57 aircraft, operated by NASA’s Johnson Space Center, is a long-range plane capable of extended flights from sea level to altitudes exceeding 60,000 feet, with a payload capacity of up to 8,800 lbs. Three WB-57 aircraft are stationed near JSC at Ellington Airport, which serves military, NASA, and general aviation operations.