ABOVE: The WB-57F is a significantly modified licence-built version of the Canberra
One of NASA’s high-flying WB-57F research aircraft went skidding down the runway on its belly at Ellington Airport in Houston, Texas during a test flight in late January.
The incident occurred at around 1130 local time, according to KHOU, a local CBS affiliate in Houston. KHOU has shared video footage showing the two-seat WB-57F (a significantly modified licence-built version of the Canberra) spraying sparks and smoke after contacting the runway. Additional footage shows the pilot exiting the aircraft with the help of first responders on the ground.
In audio studied by the Pilot news team, all the radio calls to the tower are normal, the pilot appears to call for a normal touch and go with ‘gear down’. There is no mention of an issue with the undercarriage.
NASA’s official account on X wrote in response to KHOU‘s report, “as with any incident, a thorough investigation will be conducted by NASA into the cause. NASA will transparently update the public as we gather more information.”
PHOTO: NASA
