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Air Force helicopter makes emergency landing in DC
By Anders Hagstrom
Published July 14, 2026
A U.S. Air Force helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in the nation's capital on Monday after pilots heard "strange mechanical sounds" while in flight.
Air Force public affairs chief Ann Stefanek confirmed the landing in a statement, adding that no one was hurt during the incident. Multiple law enforcement groups responded to the incident, including the FBI and Metropolitan Police Department.
"It was on a routine training mission when it identified a potential mechanical issue. The crew landed out of an abundance of caution as they are trained to do after hearing some strange mechanical sounds. No damage or injuries," Stefanek said in a statement.
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Soldiers stand next to a UH-1N helicopter assigned to the 1st Helicopter Squadron at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, after it made a precautionary landing near the German Embassy in Washington, D.C., on July 14, 2026. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
The UH-1N helicopter was assigned to the First Helicopter Squadron out of Joint Base Andrews and had four personnel aboard.
The incident came the same day that police arrested an armed man after he drove to a security barricade outside the U.S. Capitol.
U.S. Capitol Police said officers arrested the man at the North Barricade after discovering he had a firearm.
Entrances are blocked to the Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. (Fox News)
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Firearms are prohibited on Capitol Grounds, and authorities immediately closed the area while investigators processed the scene.
"Our investigators are working to learn more about the suspect and why he drove to the U.S. Capitol," Capitol Police said in a statement.
Police remained at the scene throughout Monday afternoon, where officers were seen removing items from a Ford Bronco parked diagonally in front of the barricade.
Fox News obtained video showing the suspect's Ford Bronco being towed away from the North Barricade following the arrest.
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The SUV, which displayed Florida license plates, was removed from the scene by authorities as investigators continued processing evidence and working to determine why the armed man drove to the U.S. Capitol.
Fox News' Stepheny Price contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/air-force-helicopter-emergency-landing-dc