A NASA research aircraft was forced to make a dramatic gear-up, or belly, landing at Ellington Airport in Houston late Tuesday morning after experiencing a mechanical problem. The incident, which was captured on video and widely shared on social media, ended without injuries, with all crew members reported safe.
According to NASA, the aircraft involved was a WB-57 high-altitude research plane that encountered a mechanical issue while preparing to land at Ellington Field, located southeast of Houston.
Sparks and flames seen during landing
Videos circulating online show the aircraft descending slowly before touching down on the runway without its landing gear deployed. As the plane made contact, sparks, flames and thick white smoke erupted from beneath the fuselage as it skidded along the runway. The wings appeared to bounce briefly before the aircraft gradually came to a halt.
Local television footage showed emergency vehicles surrounding the aircraft moments after it stopped. Fire crews were seen responding quickly, while the cockpit hatch was opened and the pilot was assisted out safely.
Emergency response and runway closure
In a statement, Houston Airports said the incident occurred around 11.30 am on Runway 17R–35L at Ellington Airport. First responders from a military subcontractor handled the emergency response, and the runway was temporarily closed while crews worked to secure and remove the aircraft.
NASA later confirmed on X that the crew of the WB-57 were safe and that a full investigation into the mechanical issue would be conducted. The agency said it would provide updates as more information becomes available.
About the WB-57 aircraft
The WB-57 is a long-serving NASA research aircraft with a distinctive slender fuselage. Operated since the 1970s, it is used for high-altitude scientific and atmospheric research missions. The aircraft can fly for about 6.5 hours, reach altitudes above 63,000 feet, carry significant research payloads and travel long distances at high speeds.
The incident has drawn attention online due to the dramatic visuals, but officials stressed that safety procedures worked as intended and prevented any loss of life.