Marine One comes into land as U.S. President Donald Trump arrives by helicopter at Chequers, the country home of the British prime minister, on September 18, 2025 in Aylesbury, England.
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump safely boarded a backup helicopter following an incident where their original helicopter needed to make an unexpected landing due to a hydraulic problem as they were departing the UK.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that this issue led to a brief delay in their arrival at Stansted Airport, close to London, where they caught the Air Force One flight on Thursday to return to the US.

“Because of a small hydraulic issue, and exercising caution, the pilots opted to land at a local airfield before proceeding to Stansted Airport,” she explained.

Marine One comes into land as U.S. President Donald Trump arrives by helicopter at Chequers, the country home of the British prime minister, on September 18, 2025 in Aylesbury, England.
Marine One comes into land as U.S. President Donald Trump arrives by helicopter at Chequers, the country home of the British prime minister, on September 18, 2025 in Aylesbury, England. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

“The president and first lady safely boarded the support helicopter.”

Leavitt said at no point was the president or first lady in danger.

No injuries were reported.

Earlier, Trump concluded his notable second state visit to the UK by signing what he referred to as a significant science and technology agreement with Britain.

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump wave after arriving on the Marine One helicopter at Stansted Airport, on Thursday, September 18, 2025, in England. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) (AP)

Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a roundtable with business leaders as they signed the deal.

They also had confidential discussions likely covering the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, along with potential US tariffs on British steel imports.

Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.