Washington, D.C. — A Coast Guard aircraft, transporting Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin along with other senior officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), was forced to make an emergency landing on Wednesday afternoon due to an engine failure.
The pilot of the C-37A jet notified air traffic control at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport about the engine malfunction. In a recorded exchange, the pilot stated, “We just lost our right engine and would like to declare an emergency and immediate landing at DCA.” The aircraft was carrying 14 individuals and had approximately 2.5 hours of fuel remaining.
The C-37A, a military variant of the Gulfstream V, is commonly utilized for transporting high-ranking officials within the Coast Guard and DHS, which oversees the Coast Guard’s operations.
Mullin later acknowledged the successful emergency landing on social media, commending the Coast Guard pilots for their professionalism, saying, “The United States Coast Guard pilots made the single engine landing feel routine. No panic, just straight professionalism.” He also noted that the pilots mentioned this was their first experience with such a situation, expressing gratitude for their expertise.
According to a statement from the airport, the aircraft landed safely and was thoroughly inspected by the Airports Authority Fire and Rescue teams before being cleared to taxi off the runway.
CBS News has sought comments from the DHS regarding the emergency incident. The Coast Guard directed inquiries to the DHS.
The DHS has previously expressed concerns regarding the aging fleet of aircraft. In a statement last year, the department identified the Coast Guard jet as being “22 years old and facing significant avionics and communications obsolescence issues.”
The fiscal year 2025 budget proposal included a request for approximately $50 million to replace the outdated Coast Guard executive jet used for transporting senior officials. This request has faced criticism from lawmakers, including Democratic Rep. Lauren Underwood of Illinois, who raised questions about the need for such a purchase during an appropriations hearing.
During a Senate hearing on May 20, former Secretary Kristi Noem defended the funding request, arguing that the current jet had surpassed its operational lifespan. Shortly thereafter, Democratic Representatives Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and LaMonica McIver of New Jersey inquired about the prioritization of replacing the executive aircraft over upgrading older Coast Guard planes designated for search-and-rescue missions.
By October 2025, the Coast Guard revised its request, seeking two new Gulfstream G700 jets at an estimated cost of $200 million, which has drawn further scrutiny from Congress members.
