Overview
- The high-altitude research jet touched down without landing gear on Ellington Field’s Runway 17R–35L around 11:25–11:30 a.m. local time, sliding to a stop with brief flames and smoke captured on video.
- Both crew members exited safely and were later cleared after medical evaluations, and the Houston Airports director said first responders working with a military subcontractor secured the scene as the runway was closed for removal.
- NASA attributed the event to a mechanical issue and said it will lead a thorough investigation, while the FAA confirmed it will conduct its own inquiry and noted two people were on board.
- NASA identified the aircraft as tail number NASA927 and said it departed Ellington at approximately 10:19 a.m. CST for a routine training flight before landing about an hour later.
- While the extent of damage and any effect on the WB-57 fleet remain unknown, NASA said Artemis II imagery support is not at risk given alternate airborne assets including Gulfstream V, Gulfstream III and a U.S. Navy C-20.