NASA Plane Makes Fiery Belly Landing at Texas Airport

The WB-57 research aircraft experienced a mechanical issue during flight.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 2:23pm

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A NASA WB-57 high-altitude research plane made an emergency belly landing at Ellington Airport in Houston, Texas on Tuesday morning. The aircraft experienced a mechanical issue that caused it to land without its landing gear deployed, resulting in a fiery and smoky touchdown on the runway. All crew members on board were reported safe.

Why it matters

NASA's WB-57 aircraft have been critical research platforms for the agency since the 1970s, conducting high-altitude scientific missions. This incident highlights the risks and challenges faced by pilots and engineers when operating specialized aircraft, and the importance of thorough safety protocols and emergency response procedures.

The details

The WB-57 aircraft was approaching Ellington Airport around 11:30 a.m. when it experienced the mechanical issue that led to the gear-up landing. Video footage shows the plane descending towards the runway, touching down with a jolt and sparking flames and smoke as it slid along the tarmac before coming to a stop. Houston Airport officials stated that first responders from a military subcontractor were on the scene to handle the initial response.

  • The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2026.

The players

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and space research.

Ellington Airport

A public airport located southeast of Houston, Texas that serves as a joint civil-military airport and is home to several NASA facilities.

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What they’re saying

“Today, a mechanical issue with one of NASA's WB-57s resulted in a gear-up landing at Ellington Field. Response to the incident is ongoing, and all crew are safe at this time.”

— NASA (X)

What’s next

NASA stated that a thorough investigation into the cause of the mechanical issue will be conducted.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks and challenges associated with operating specialized aircraft for scientific research, and the importance of robust safety protocols and emergency response procedures to protect crew and mitigate damage when unexpected mechanical failures occur.