NASA’s WB-57F research aircraft made a fuselage landing at Houston’s Ellington Airport due to a mechanical issue that prevented landing gear deployment.
A video released by a local broadcaster showed the aircraft skidding along the runway, generating flames and smoke, and emergency personnel helping the pilot safely exit the aircraft. According to NASA, all on board are safe.
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The accident resulted in the temporary closure of runways 17R–35L while aircraft removal operations took place. NASA confirmed it would launch a detailed investigation to determine the cause of the problem, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also said it would conduct its own investigation. There were two people on board at the time of the forced landing.
The WB-57F aircraft is a rare and strategic platform operating from Johnson Space Center in Houston. It can fly up to an altitude of approximately 19,000 meters and is equipped with scientific sensors in modular compartments under the fuselage, nose, and wings. Although it is similar in appearance to the U.S. Air Force’s U-2, it performs different and complementary missions together with the ER-2 operated by NASA.
The WB-57F was first developed for high-altitude intelligence collection missions during the Cold War, and currently plays an important role in scientific research, military testing, and aerial observation of space launch vehicles. With only three aircraft currently in operation, it is still unclear how this accident will affect future fleet availability.
source: The War Zone | Photo: This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
BREAKING | Video shows a NASA plane making a belly landing at Ellington Airport. Here’s what we know right now.
— KHOU 11 News Houston (@KHOU) January 27, 2026
