NASA Research Plane Does a Belly Flop at Houston Airport
A NASA aircraft sits near the runway at Ellington Airport after making a belly landing on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
A NASA research aircraft was forced to make an emergency belly landing at Ellington Airport in Houston on Tuesday following an apparent mechanical malfunction. All crew members aboard the plane were reported safe.
The aircraft, a WB-57 high-altitude research jet operated by NASA’s Johnson Space Center, landed without its landing gear deployed. NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens said in a post on X that the incident was caused by a mechanical issue and that an investigation is underway. She added that more information will be released as it becomes available.
According to Jim Szczesniak, aviation director for Houston’s airport system, the landing occurred around 11:30 a.m. local time on Runway 17R-35L. The runway was closed following the incident and will remain so until the aircraft is removed.
Video shared on social media shows the jet’s wings bouncing as it slid along the runway, with flames and white smoke visible beneath the aircraft, the Associated Press reported.
The WB-57 is a long-range research platform capable of flying from low altitudes to above 60,000 feet while carrying scientific instruments, according to Click2Houston. The aircraft is operated by a pilot and a sensor systems operator seated side by side. NASA has not yet disclosed the exact cause of the malfunction or whether any minor injuries occurred.
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