NASA plane appears to make belly landing at airport in Houston, Texas

HOUSTON — A NASA aircraft was involved in an incident late Tuesday morning at airport in Houston, Texas. 

According to a statement from Houston Airports, a NASA aircraft had an issue while landing at Ellington Airport around 11:30 a.m. Central. 

Video sent to KHOU 11 News, a TEGNA station in Houston, appeared to show a plane making a belly landing on the runway. 

Crews from the station responded to the scene and were able to capture video of the pilot climbing out of the cockpit with assistance from emergency responders.

Video appeared to show the aircraft landing with its landing gear not fully deployed, sliding along the runway before coming to a stop. Air 11 video showed emergency crews responding to the scene.

Houston Airports officials say first responders with a military subcontractor are handling the response. The runway was closed until the aircraft can be removed.

At this time, there is no confirmed information about injuries, and officials have not released details about what caused the landing.

The aircraft involved appears to be a NASA WB-57 high-altitude research plane, which is based at NASA Johnson Space Center near Ellington Field.

The NASA WB-57 High Altitude Research Program operates three WB-57 aircraft out of Ellington Field. The WB-57 is a mid-wing, long-range research aircraft capable of flying at altitudes above 63,000 feet. It typically carries two crew members — a pilot and a sensor equipment operator — and is used for scientific and atmospheric research missions.

• Fly for about 6.5 hours
• Travel up to 2,500 nautical miles
• Carry up to 8,800 pounds of payload
• Reach airspeeds of about 410 knots

Houston Airports says all further questions are being directed to NASA. KHOU 11 has reached out to NASA officials for additional details.

This story is developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.