A WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft belonging to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) made a belly landing at Ellington Airport in Houston due to a landing gear malfunction. It was reported that the two crew members on board were in good health.
Fire Crews Responded Quickly
According to officials, numerous fire trucks were dispatched to the runway following the incident. The Houston Fire Department confirmed that the aircraft made contact with the runway and came to rest on its fuselage as a result of a failure of the nose landing gear. No injuries were reported.
NASA: All Crew Members Are Safe
NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens shared the following statement on the social media platform X:
“Earlier today, a mechanical issue on one of NASA’s WB-57 aircraft resulted in a landing with the landing gear retracted at Ellington Field. Response efforts are ongoing, and all crew members are safe. As with any incident, NASA will conduct a thorough investigation and transparently share updates with the public.”
Runway Temporarily Closed
During the removal of the aircraft from the runway, Runway 17R–35L at Ellington Airport was temporarily closed. Houston Airports Aviation Director Jim Szczesniak stated that the initial response was carried out by teams affiliated with military contractor companies.
Technical Specifications of the Aircraft
The NASA WB-57 involved in the incident is known as a specially equipped aircraft used for high-altitude atmospheric observation and scientific research. The exact cause of the landing gear malfunction will be determined following a technical investigation.
