WASHINGTON – September 18, 2025 – Marine One, the presidential helicopter carrying President Donald Trump and the first lady to Stansted Airport for a scheduled departure on Air Force One, was diverted to London Luton Airport on Thursday after a mechanical issue was detected in flight.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters traveling aboard Air Force One that the diversion was precautionary.
“Due to a minor hydraulic issue, and out of an abundance of caution, the pilots landed at a local airfield before reaching Stansted Airport,” the press secretary said. “The president and first lady safely boarded the support helicopter.”
Marine One typically flies with multiple support and decoy helicopters when transporting the president.
The aircraft involved was a VH-3D Sea King, a helicopter that has served U.S. presidents for nearly five decades. The aircraft are transported abroad on U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo planes and maintained by HMX-1, the Marine Corps squadron based in Quantico, Va., responsible for presidential helicopter operations.
A newer model, the VH-92, has entered service but has not yet been certified for White House landings. Trump has, however, used the helicopter frequently at his residence in New Jersey.
The president is expected to return to Washington later Thursday aboard a different Marine One aircraft.
