A Coast Guard aircraft carrying Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin was forced to make an emergency landing after suffering a mid-air engine failure on Wednesday.
The flight was traveling from Georgia to the Washington, D.C., area when the pilot radioed air traffic control to declare an emergency, noting that the jet had lost its right engine.
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SubscribeThe Gulfstream jet safely touched down at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia with 14 people on board without any reported injuries.
Secretary Mullin praised the flight crew on social media, highlighting their professionalism during the tense mechanical failure.
Scrutiny Over Aging Fleet and Aircraft Safety
The incident refocuses federal attention on the aging operational fleet utilized by the U.S. Coast Guard and the Department of Homeland Security.
Federal records indicate that the aircraft involved in the emergency landing had previously been flagged by officials for exceeding standard operational service hours.
Congressional lawmakers have previously questioned funding priorities regarding executive transport versus modernization of operational search-and-rescue assets.
The Department of Homeland Security continues to evaluate fleet maintenance and replacement schedules following the high-profile aviation incident.