On Thursday evening, following the conclusion of his state visit to the United Kingdom, a helicopter transporting U.S. President Donald Trump was forced to make a precautionary landing at Luton Airport due to a “minor hydraulic issue.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the aircraft landed at a “local airfield” as a safety measure before later continuing its journey to Stansted, arriving approximately 20 minutes behind schedule.
Leavitt stated that both the president and the first lady were safely transferred to a support helicopter. Emergency services were seen on the tarmac at Luton after the landing, with photos showing the two presidential helicopters, Marine One and Marine Two, parked near the runway.
These “White Tops” helicopters are known for their advanced security features, including missile defense systems, radar jammers, and electronics designed to withstand a nuclear blast. For security purposes, Marine One often flies with identical decoys and is accompanied by other helicopters carrying Secret Service and support staff.
President Trump had used the helicopter fleet extensively during his second state visit to the UK. His itinerary included arriving at Stansted, visiting Windsor Castle for an audience with the King and Queen, and traveling to Chequers for bilateral talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. At a joint news conference, the two leaders discussed key issues such as Ukraine, Gaza, and illegal migration, with Trump suggesting the UK military could be used to address migration—a point of clear disagreement with Starmer. Trump also expressed his opposition to the UK’s plan to recognize Palestinian statehood.
