A NASA WB-57 research jet made a fiery belly landing at Ellington Field in Houston after its landing gear failed to deploy. All crew members safely exited the aircraft, and NASA has launched an investigation into the mechanical issue.

NASA has confirmed that crew members are safe after one of its three WB-57 Canberra high-altitude research aircraft made an emergency gear-up landing in Texas. N927NA, the most recent addition to NASA’s fleet of high-altitude research aircraft that trace their lineage back to the English Electric Canberra,

The incident occurred around 11:30 a.m. on Runway 17R-35L at Ellington Airport (EFD), Jim Szczesniak, director of aviation for Houston Airports, said in a statement. First responders with a military subcontractor responded to the incident.

A Nasa aircraft made an emergency landing at Ellington Airport after a landing-gear failure, sliding along the runway amid flames and smoke. The WB-57 research jet stopped safely, with both crew members unharmed,

Ellington is a joint civil and military airfield that routinely supports NASA operations and crew transport for Johnson Space Center, according to NASA. The field is home base for research jets and training flights that support the agency's broader flight program.

Video captured by KHOU 11 television showed the aircraft touching down on the runway without its landing gear extended. The pilot then maintains control of the vehicle as it slides down the runway, slowing the aircraft through friction. The crew was not harmed, NASA spokesperson Bethany Stevens said.

An incident involving a NASA aircraft was caught by SkyFOX at Ellington Field Airport. John Dawson shares a bit of what this aircraft does.