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NASA's WB-57 Lands Safely Despite Gear Malfunction

1/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A NASA WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft landed without its landing gear after a malfunction in Texas on Tuesday.
The plane touched down at Ellington Airport, southeast of Houston, sliding on its belly with flames visible.
NASA said the crew is safe and that a mechanical issue will be investigated.
The WB-57 has flown high-altitude missions since the 1970s and can stay aloft for over six hours.

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Story summary

A NASA WB-57 high-altitude research aircraft landed without its landing gear after a malfunction in Texas on Tuesday.
The plane touched down at Ellington Airport, southeast of Houston, sliding on its belly with flames visible.
NASA said the crew is safe and that a mechanical issue will be investigated.
The WB-57 has flown high-altitude missions since the 1970s and can stay aloft for over six hours.