NASA X-59 Returns Early From Second Flight After Cockpit Warning

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. — NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft completed its second flight March 20, though the sortie ended after approximately nine minutes when a cockpit warning prompted an early return to Edwards Air Force Base.

Test pilot Jim Less followed established procedures after noticing a vehicle system indicator during the morning flight, officials said. The precautionary landing was executed safely with no safety concerns for the aircraft or pilot.

NASA officials emphasized the incident won't impact the broader Quesst test campaign. Associate Administrator Bob Pearce said the team made the correct decision to return immediately, while Project Manager Cathy Bahm noted valuable data was still collected on handling and braking systems despite the shortened flight.

The X-59, developed with Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works, aims to enable civilian supersonic flight over land by reducing sonic booms to quiet thumps. The original flight plan called for expanding the envelope to 260 mph at 20,000 feet. NASA plans dozens of test flights throughout 2026 to validate performance before beginning regulatory review for commercial supersonic aviation.