NASA research plane lands on belly, sending sparks flying, after ‘mechanical issue’
A NASA aircraft had to make a “gear-up landing” in Houston on Tuesday due to a mechanical problem, NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens noted in a post on X.
“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,” she said in the Tuesday afternoon post.
“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,” she added.
She issued a post on Wednesday noting that the crew members are doing well.
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“Following standard medical evaluations at Ellington Field, both crew members aboard the WB-57 were cleared and are in good health. Both individuals are NASA employees. NASA operates three WB-57 aircraft; the one involved in today’s incident carries tail number NASA927. The aircraft departed Ellington Field for a routine training flight at approximately 10:19 a.m. CST and landed at approximately 11:19 a.m.,” Stevens noted in the post on Wednesday.
“NASA will lead a thorough investigation. Additional details will be provided once the investigation is complete. NASA anticipates no impact to Artemis II operations given the multiple aerial assets available to support, including the Gulfstream V, Gulfstream III, and a U.S. Navy C-20. These aircraft will provide imagery during key mission phases, including launch, entry, and splashdown,” her post noted.
Video footage of the episode captured smoke and what appeared to be bright fire and/or sparks flying as the plane slid across the runway.
The Federal Aviation Administration noted, “A Martin WB-57 landed with its gear up at Ellington Airport in Houston around 11:25 a.m. local time on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Two people were on board. The FAA will investigate.”
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The WB-57 has been performing research missions for decades, according to the NASA Airborne Science Program website.
“The NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas is the home of the NASA WB-57 High Altitude Research Program,” the site notes. “The WB-57 is a mid-wing, long-range aircraft capable of operation for extended periods of time from sea level to altitudes in excess of 63,000 feet.”
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“The aircraft have been flying research missions since the early 1970’s, and continue to be an asset to the scientific community with professional, reliable, customer-oriented service designed to meet all scientific objectives,” the website states.
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