A NASA research plane made an emergency landing in Texas on Tuesday after experiencing a malfunction that prevented its landing gear from deploying, officials said.
The WB-57 aircraft touched down at Ellington Airport, southeast of Houston, sliding across the runway on its belly. Social media footage showed flames and smoke trailing from beneath the plane as it descended and came to a stop.
NASA confirmed that the crew is safe and reported the incident as a "mechanical issue" that will be investigated. Local news outlets captured images of the aircraft stationary on the runway with emergency responders and fire trucks attending to the scene.
The WB-57, known for its thin fuselage and two-seat cockpit, has been used in scientific research missions since the 1970s. It is capable of flying at high altitudes above 63,000 feet (19,200 meters) for about six and a half hours.
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According to NASA, the aircraft remains a valuable tool for atmospheric and space research.