A U.S. Coast Guard jet carrying Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin made an emergency landing in Washington after one of its engines failed.
The incident occurred on September 2, 2026, when the pilots of the C-37A aircraft, a military version of a Gulfstream V jet, reported an engine failure to air traffic control. The pilot calmly declared an emergency and requested an immediate landing at Washington's Ronald Reagan National Airport.
"We just lost our right engine and would like to declare an emergency and immediate landing at DCA," the pilot stated, according to an air traffic control recording shared by Mullin. The aircraft was carrying 14 people and had approximately two and a half hours of fuel remaining.
The jet "landed safely, was thoroughly checked by Airports Authority Fire and Rescue personnel then proceeded off the runway," an airport statement confirmed.
Mullin expressed his gratitude on social media platform X, crediting the Coast Guard pilots for their professionalism. "The United States Coast Guard pilots made the single engine landing feel routine," he posted. "No panic, just straight professionalism. After we landed, the pilots told me that was a first for them! We could not have been in better hands."
The Department of Homeland Security referred inquiries to Mullin's statement.
The aircraft is used to ferry DHS officials and Coast Guard personnel. The department had previously warned that some of the aircraft being used were becoming old and obsolete. A former spokesperson noted last year that the current CG-101 G550 is over 20 years old, beyond its manufacturer's service life, and well beyond typical operational hours for such an aircraft, citing safety concerns. At the time, it was stated that the Coast Guard had only two Long-Range Command and Control Aircraft for leadership transportation and communications.