Emergency Landing: US Defense Secretary's Plane Diverts Due to Windshield Crack

Thu Oct 16 2025 06:38:20 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's aircraft made an unscheduled landing in the UK, following the discovery of a crack in its windshield during a return flight. Thankfully, all passengers remained safe.

Pete Hegseth's flight from a NATO meeting in Belgium had to divert to Royal Air Force Mildenhall in the UK after a crack was detected in the aircraft's windshield. All onboard are safe, and Hegseth confirmed via social media following the incident. This event echoes a similar incident involving another government official earlier this year.

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth's plane made an unscheduled landing in the UK, during a return flight headed for the US, the Pentagon said on X.

The plane carrying Hegseth on his way back from NATO's Defence Minister meeting in Belgium had a crack in the aircraft windshield.

The plane landed based on standard procedures, and everyone onboard, including Secretary Hegseth, is safe, the government confirmed.

Hegseth later expressed relief via social media, stating: All good. Thank God. Continue mission!

The plane was off the coast of southern Ireland when it turned back and landed at Royal Air Force Mildenhall.

Defence ministers had gathered in Belgium to discuss security in Ukraine earlier on Wednesday.

This incident mirrors a similar situation from February, when a government plane carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio had to return due to a crack in the cockpit window.