Homeland Chief’s Jet Loses Power Mid-Flight

A Coast Guard jet carrying Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin landed safely on one engine at Reagan National after the crew declared an emergency, and everyone walked away unharmed.

Story Snapshot

Pilots reported losing the right engine and declared an emergency en route to Washington, D.C.
The crew said 14 people were on board with about 2.5 hours of fuel remaining.
The aircraft landed safely at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport with no injuries.
Secretary Mullin praised the Coast Guard pilots for calm, professional flying.

Pilots Declare Emergency After Right-Engine Failure

Air traffic control audio captured the Coast Guard flight crew stating they lost the right engine and needed an immediate landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Controllers cleared the jet to land as the crew managed the single-engine approach. The audio time matched early afternoon in the Washington, D.C., area on a flight inbound from Georgia. The call reflected standard emergency procedures when a twin-engine jet loses thrust on one side, requiring prompt action and coordination.

Reporters and the air traffic control recording noted the pilots told the tower there were 14 people on board and about two and a half hours of fuel left. That information helps responders size up risk and staging needs. Fire and rescue teams at the airport prepared on the ground, as is normal in these events. Crews plan for the worst, even when the plane remains flyable on one engine with trained pilots at the controls.

Safe Single-Engine Landing And Post-Flight Checks

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said the jet landed safely, then was checked by fire and rescue units before moving off the runway. No injuries were reported. That outcome fits how modern transport jets are designed and crewed. Training covers single-engine handling, approach speeds, braking, and steering after touchdown. The United States Coast Guard operates two C-37 series jets for senior travel, and this airframe type can complete a safe landing with one engine inoperative when flown by the book.

Reuters identified the aircraft as a United States Coast Guard-operated Gulfstream V, also known in military service as the C-37A. The flight originated in Georgia and diverted to Reagan National after the malfunction. Open-source flight tracking supported the timing of the approach and landing. While the reason for the right-engine failure was not yet known, officials focused first on passenger safety and runway operations. A formal technical finding typically follows after maintenance and safety reviews.

Mullin Commends Pilots; Cause Not Yet Identified

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin publicly praised the pilots, saying they made the single-engine landing feel routine and showed steady professionalism. That matches what passengers often experience when crews execute checklist steps and maintain control. News outlets noted that the exact cause of the failure was not yet established. Possible causes in jet operations can range from a failed part to foreign object damage or a bad sensor, but only an inspection can sort that out.

Coast Guard plane carrying DHS Secretary Mullin makes emergency landing https://t.co/fihi41ZdOZ

— ABC11 EyewitnessNews (@ABC11_WTVD) September 4, 2026

Aviation records show many engine-loss diversions end safely when crews follow training and aircraft systems work as intended. Safety boards have documented events where failures stemmed from component wear, maintenance issues, or debris, but the common thread is disciplined flying to a stable landing. That is what happened here: a clear emergency call, a controlled single-engine approach, on-field firefighting support, and everyone walking off the jet without injury. This is how readiness and skill protect lives.