Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK ended with unexpected drama when Marine One was forced into an emergency landing. The president and First Lady Melania were en route to Stansted Airport on September 18 when the helicopter suffered what officials later called a “minor hydraulic issue.”
Instead of continuing to Stansted, the aircraft diverted to Luton Airport, roughly 54 miles away. Emergency services had been placed on alert, though the landing was completed safely without injury. The Trumps later transferred to a support helicopter and arrived only 20 minutes behind schedule.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the diversion as purely precautionary. “The president and First Lady are safe, and the aircraft was met by support staff as planned,” she confirmed, emphasizing that the issue posed no serious risk.
The incident capped a high-profile visit filled with both pomp and minor controversy. Just a day earlier, Trump had been hosted at Windsor Castle by King Charles III and Queen Camilla in a formal state ceremony.