A NASA aircraft made an emergency landing at Ellington Field Airport in Houston, Texas, causing sparks to fly along the runway. The WB-57, a high-altitude research plane, experienced a mechanical issue leading to a gear-up landing, as confirmed by NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Bethany Stevens provided updates on social media, stating that the response to the incident is ongoing and all crew members are safe. NASA will conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the mechanical problem.

Local channel KHOU 11 shared footage showing the aircraft skidding on its belly, leaving a trail of sparks before coming to a stop. Emergency crews assisted one of the pilots in exiting the cockpit. The Director of Aviation for Houston Airports, Jim Szczesniak, mentioned that the runway was closed for the aircraft’s removal after the incident.

The exact reason for the landing gear failure remains unknown. The WB-57 aircraft, capable of flying long distances at high altitudes and carrying substantial payloads, is operated by NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Ellington Airport, where the incident occurred, hosts three WB-57 aircraft primarily used for military, NASA, and general aviation activities.