Coast Guard plane with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin on board makes emergency landing after engine failure
Homeland Security Secretary Makes Emergency Landing in Washington After Engine Failure
A United States Coast Guard aircraft that was carrying Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin experienced an engine failure en route from Georgia to Washington, D.C. The aircraft, a Coast Guard C‑101, diverted to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia where it landed safely on Wednesday.
The emergency landing was attributed to a single‑engine failure, an event that the Coast Guard pilots handled with professionalism. In a post on the social‑media platform X, Secretary Mullin praised the crew’s calm response, writing, “The United States Coast Guard pilots made the single-engine landing feel routine. 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.”
Mullin’s comments were the first public statement from the Secretary about the incident. He noted that the Coast Guard’s pilot team was relieved that the emergency was handled so smoothly. The incident came shortly after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) flagged the aircraft for its age last year, a move that highlighted ongoing concerns about the aging fleet of Coast Guard aircraft.
The C‑101, a twin‑jet aircraft used for search‑and‑rescue and transport missions, had reportedly encountered a technical problem that rendered one engine inoperative. According to Coast Guard officials, the pilot crew followed established procedures for a single‑engine approach, a routine part of their training. The emergency landing was executed without incident, and no injuries were reported among the crew or the Secretary.
Mullin’s tweet emphasized that the pilots’ experience and training were key to the safe outcome. “We could not have been in better hands,” he said, a comment that echoed the Coast Guard’s own assessment that the pilots had successfully managed a potentially dangerous situation.
The incident raises questions about the condition of older Coast Guard aircraft and the readiness of the agency’s fleet. DHS has previously expressed concerns about the maintenance and replacement of aging aircraft, citing safety implications for both civilian and military missions. The Emergency Landing’s outcome, however, underscores the professionalism and readiness of Coast Guard aircrews.
Authorities have not yet released a detailed report on the engine failure, and investigations are likely underway. The event was described by officials as a “breaking story” and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
