A NASA research plane malfunctioned and had to touch down in Texas without landing gear on Tuesday, sliding across the runway on its belly and sending plumes of flame behind it, according to video posted to social media.
NASA said the crew landed at Ellington Airport, southeast of Houston, and that they were “all safe at this time.” The agency said a “mechanical issue” led to the incident and will be investigated.
Dramatic video shows fire and smoke during touchdown
Video of the landing shows the aircraft descending slowly before striking the runway with a jolt. As it makes contact, the wings bounce while yellow flames and white smoke burst from beneath the aircraft.
The plane continues sliding down the runway as flames flare and disappear amid smoke, then begins to slow before the video ends.
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Local footage shows emergency response after the slide
Local news footage from KHOU 11 showed the aircraft stopped on the runway with the cockpit hatch open. Fire trucks and emergency responders were seen working around the aircraft’s nose.
What the WB-57 is used for
The aircraft involved was the NASA WB-57, known for its long, thin fuselage. The two-seat research plane is capable of flying for about 6 1/2 hours at high altitudes beyond 63,000 feet (19,200 meters).
NASA says the WB-57 has flown research missions since the 1970s and remains an active platform used by the scientific community.
Sources:
NASA Airborne Science Program – “WB-57 – JSC”
Edited by Darryl Linington
