Coast Guard Jet Makes Emergency Landing with Homeland Security Secretary Aboard

<p>Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin was aboard a Coast Guard jet on Wednesday when one of the aircraft's engines failed, prompting pilots to make an emergency landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.</p><p>The C-37A landed safely, and none of the individuals on board were reported injured.</p><p>“The United States Coast Guard pilots made the single engine landing feel routine,” Mullin stated in a post on X. “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.”</p><p>The pilot notified air traffic controllers that the aircraft had lost its right engine and requested an immediate landing at Reagan National. “We just lost our right engine and would like to declare an emergency and immediate landing at DCA,” the pilot communicated to the tower, according to an audio recording of the exchange obtained by CBS News.</p><p>The pilot indicated that there were 14 people aboard and that the aircraft had approximately 2.5 hours of fuel remaining. Airports Authority Fire and Rescue personnel inspected the plane after it landed, and the airport reported that the aircraft was moved off the runway.</p><p>The cause of the engine failure has not been determined.</p><p>The C-37A is the military version of the Gulfstream V, which is commonly used to transport the DHS secretary and other senior Coast Guard and department officials. It has been in service with the Coast Guard since 2002.</p><p>The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warned in 2025 that the aircraft was experiencing issues related to aging avionics and communications systems. Coast Guard officials have stated that the plane is nearing or has surpassed its useful service life and requires replacement.</p><p>The initial request for approximately $50 million for a replacement aircraft evolved into plans to acquire two Gulfstream G700 aircraft at an estimated total cost of around $172 million. Government procurement documents indicated that the existing C-37A is 23 years old and highlighted increasing obsolescence and maintenance costs.</p><p>The incident occurs amid scrutiny from the Senate Appropriations Committee regarding DHS’s expanding aircraft fleet. In an August letter to Mullin, committee Vice Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) questioned the department’s acquisition of 12 aircraft, including five luxury jets intended for senior officials such as FBI Director Kash Patel and border czar Tom Homan. The senators argued that Congress had not authorized DHS to purchase the aircraft and requested records detailing the purchases, flight logs, and associated costs.</p><p>For DHS, Wednesday’s emergency incident adds to the argument that the Coast Guard’s aging executive aircraft needs replacement, even as lawmakers continue to scrutinize the costs, necessity, and methods of acquiring newer jets.</p>