A NASA WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft made an emergency belly landing at Ellington Field in Houston on January 27, 2026, after its landing gear failed to deploy. Dramatic footage captured the jet sliding along the runway on its fuselage, sending sparks and flames into the air, though NASA confirmed that all crew members escaped unharmed. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the mechanical failure.

The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. local time on Runway 17R–35L at Ellington Airport, which shares facilities with NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Emergency crews, including fire and rescue personnel, responded immediately to assist the aircraft and ensure the safety of the pilots. NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens said on X, “A mechanical issue with one of NASA’s WB-57s resulted in a gear-up landing at Ellington Field. All crew are safe, and a thorough investigation is underway.”

Eyewitness video shows the aircraft sliding hundreds of feet along the runway with sparks and brief bursts of flame before coming to a stop. The pilots exited safely with assistance from emergency responders. The WB-57, a twin-engine jet capable of flying above 60,000 feet, is used for atmospheric research, earth observation, and supporting NASA’s space program and astronaut training. Gear-up landings are rare but survivable due to the plane’s robust design and the crew’s training.

No injuries were reported, though the runway remained closed for cleanup and aircraft removal. NASA has not yet disclosed the specific mechanical problem, but confirmed safety procedures were fully followed and a detailed review will determine the exact cause of the emergency landing.