U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s Plane Makes Emergency Landing in UK After Windshield Crack

A plane carrying U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an emergency landing in the United Kingdom on Wednesday after a crack appeared in the aircraft’s windshield, according to a statement from the Pentagon. Officials confirmed that Hegseth and everyone on board were safe following the precautionary landing.

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a post on X (formerly Twitter), “The plane landed based on standard procedures and everyone onboard, including Secretary Hegseth, is safe.” The aircraft was en route back to the United States from Brussels, Belgium, where Hegseth had completed a brief official visit.

The Pentagon emphasized that the landing was a safety measure in line with standard aviation protocols. The cause of the windshield crack is under investigation, but initial reports indicate it posed no immediate danger to passengers or crew. Defense officials have not disclosed the type of aircraft involved or whether it will return to service following inspection.

This incident adds to a series of mechanical issues involving U.S. military transport planes carrying senior government officials. Earlier in the year, a U.S. Air Force aircraft transporting Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Munich experienced a mechanical problem that forced it to return to Washington, D.C. The repeated issues have raised concerns about the maintenance and reliability of the U.S. government’s fleet used for high-level diplomatic and defense missions.

Despite the scare, Hegseth is reported to be continuing his duties as scheduled, and no disruptions to his travel plans have been announced.