Trump Switches Helicopters Mid-Flight Due to Hydraulic Issue

President Donald Trump’s recent visit to the UK ended with a minor aviation hiccup. After a joint press conference with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Trump was en route from the prime minister’s country residence to Stansted Airport when Marine One made an unscheduled landing.

According to the Washington Examiner, the helicopter made what was described as an “emergency landing” due to a minor hydraulic issue. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the precautionary stop at a local airfield was made “out of an abundance of caution.” Trump and the First Lady then boarded a backup helicopter to complete the journey to Air Force One.

No injuries were reported, according to the Associated Press. Trump arrived at the airport roughly 20 minutes after the traveling press corps and shared a light moment with reporters before takeoff.

“Fly safely. You know why I say that? Because I’m on the flight,” Trump quipped. “Otherwise I wouldn’t care.”

During the return flight to the U.S., air traffic controllers reportedly admonished Spirit Airlines pilots for flying too close to Air Force One as it passed over Long Island.

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