Marine One was forced to make an emergency landing in the UK Thursday.
President Trump and First Lady Melania were both on board at the time.
The Incident
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the details of the diversion.
She said the helicopter suffered a minor hydraulic issue in flight.
Karoline Leavitt
“Out of an abundance of caution, the pilots landed at a local airfield,” Leavitt explained.
The landing occurred en route to Stansted Airport.
Emergency services were seen on the tarmac following the precautionary landing.
The helicopter ultimately diverted to Luton Airport before resuming travel.
Images showed multiple presidential helicopters parked near the runway.
Transfer to Support Helicopter
After landing, Trump and the First Lady switched aircraft.
They boarded a support helicopter to continue the short trip.
US President Donald Trump (R) and US First Lady Melania Trump (L) walk across the tarmac from the Marine One helicopter toward Air Force One at Stansted Airport, in Stansted, north of London, on September 18, 2025, to leave at the end of the US President’s second State Visit. Donald Trump warned that Russia President Vladimir Putin had “really let me down” as he met Prime Minister Keir Starmer for wide-ranging talks on September 18, the final day of the US president’s historic UK state visit. A day after King Charles III treated Trump to royal pageantry at Windsor Castle, the Republican flew to Starmer’s Chequers country residence for talks on thorny issues including the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
The transfer extended their journey from 20 minutes to nearly 40.
Officials emphasized that both the president and first lady were safe.
The support helicopter completed the trip to Stansted without incident.
Security protocols ensured the switch was carried out quickly and securely.
Marine One Capabilities
Marine One is one of several specially outfitted “white top” helicopters.
These aircraft are designed with missile defense and radar-jamming systems.
They are hardened to withstand electromagnetic pulses from nuclear blasts.
As a precaution, multiple identical helicopters often fly together as decoys.
The presidential helicopter is also escorted by Osprey MV-22s.
The Ospreys carry staff, Secret Service agents, and emergency support teams.
State Visit Travel
Trump has been traveling by helicopter throughout his UK state visit.
He arrived at Stansted on Tuesday before heading to Winfield House in London.
On Wednesday, he traveled to Windsor Castle to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla.
Thursday morning, Marine One flew him from Windsor to Chequers.
There, Trump held diplomatic talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The emergency landing happened as they returned toward Stansted.
Diplomatic Context
At their joint news conference, Trump and Starmer addressed major global issues.
Topics included Ukraine, Gaza, and the migrant crisis.
Trump suggested Britain could use its military to stop illegal migration.
He also revealed a disagreement with Starmer over Palestinian statehood.
Starmer plans to recognize Palestinian statehood ahead of next week’s UN assembly.
