NASA Research Jet Performs Gear-Up Landing at Houston Base

Plane suffered 'mechanical issue' during flight, all crew safe

Jan. 28, 2026 at 12:15am

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A NASA research jet, a WB-57 high-altitude aircraft, performed a gear-up landing at Houston's Joint Reserve Base Ellington on Tuesday after experiencing a 'mechanical issue' during flight. The incident resulted in sparks, fire, and smoke as the plane touched down on the runway, but all crew members were reported safe.

Why it matters

NASA's WB-57 research jets are critical for conducting high-altitude scientific missions, and this incident raises questions about the safety and reliability of the aging aircraft fleet. The gear-up landing also disrupted operations at the Houston military base and could prompt a thorough investigation into the cause of the mechanical failure.

The details

Video footage shows the WB-57 jet approaching the runway at a low altitude and touching down with its belly, rather than its landing gear. This resulted in sparks, fire, and smoke as the plane came to a stop. NASA officials stated that the gear-up landing was due to an unspecified 'mechanical issue' and that a full investigation will be conducted to determine the cause.

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

The players

NASA

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, which operates a fleet of WB-57 high-altitude research jets out of Ellington Field near Houston.

Houston Airports

The Texas city's Department of Aviation, which oversees operations at the Joint Reserve Base Ellington where the incident took place.

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What they’re saying

“Response to the incident is ongoing, and all crew are safe at this time. As with any incident, a thorough investigation will be conducted by NASA into the cause. NASA will transparently update the public as we gather more information.”

— Bethany Stevens, NASA Press Secretary (UPI)

What’s next

NASA will conduct a full investigation into the cause of the mechanical issue that led to the gear-up landing, with the goal of identifying any potential safety concerns and implementing necessary changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks and challenges involved in operating high-performance research aircraft, and underscores the importance of maintaining a robust safety culture and continuous improvement processes within NASA's aeronautics programs.