Aviation News – A NASA-operated WB-57 research aircraft made a gear-up landing at Ellington Airfield in Houston after a mechanical issue, with all crew members reported safe. The incident matters as the aircraft supports critical high-altitude scientific and space-related missions.
NASA confirmed the incident occurred on Tuesday at Ellington Airfield, where the WB-57 N927NA is operated by the agency’s Johnson Space Center. According to NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens, a mechanical problem prompted the decision to land without deploying the landing gear, triggering an immediate safety response and a planned investigation into the cause.
The WB-57 is a long-range, high-altitude research aircraft designed to fly from sea level to above 60,000 feet while carrying specialized scientific payloads. Operated by a pilot and a sensor equipment operator seated in tandem, the aircraft plays a key role in atmospheric research, Earth observation, and spaceflight support, making system reliability a critical bolt in mission planning.
“Response to the incident is ongoing, and all crew are safe at this time,” Stevens said, adding that NASA will conduct a thorough investigation and share updates as they become available.
The event is expected to lead to detailed technical inspections and potential procedural reviews to ensure continued safe operation of the WB-57 fleet. NASA’s call-to-action centers on transparency and corrective measures to maintain confidence in its airborne research programs.