A Coast Guard aircraft carrying Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and other top DHS officials made an emergency landing Wednesday afternoon at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington County, Virginia, after one of its engines failed mid-flight.
The aircraft, a Coast Guard C-37A with call sign C101, lost its right engine while airborne and diverted to Reagan National for an immediate landing, according to an independent newsfeed that covers the Washington, D.C. region. All 14 people aboard were reported safe.
Mullin confirmed on X that he was on the plane and credited the Coast Guard pilots for their handling of the emergency.
“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.”
Audio of the pilot’s communication with the airport’s control tower captured the moment the emergency was declared.
“We just lost our right engine and would like to declare an emergency and immediate landing at DCA.”
The pilot told controllers the plane had 14 people on board and roughly two and a half hours of fuel remaining at the time.
This is a developing story.
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