Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson faces mid-air scare over the ocean, recounts private jet emergency
HONOLULU, HAWAII: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson recently recounted a terrifying experience aboard his private jet.
The 52-year-old was en route from Hawaii to Texas when a mechanical issue forced an emergency return.
Dwayne Johnson's private jet emergency
Super bummed I can’t be in Texas but so grateful we were able to land the plane safely.
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) March 29, 2025
So sorry to our @TheUFL fans, players, coaches, staff and our teams at @FOXSports @espn I’m not there.
Let’s have a great season 2 opening weekend, have fun, and ball out. pic.twitter.com/9FgwLIUSS5
Johnson, who owns a Gulfstream G650 valued at $65 million, was traveling to attend the United Football League’s (UFL) second season opener in Houston when the incident occurred.
Taking to X on Saturday, March 29, Johnson shared the alarming moment.
"I was ready to go. Man, I was super pumped to get down there to Texas, to rock and roll with all the players and fans, and coaches. I’m just so super bummed that I can’t be there and I’m so sorry,” he wrote, apologizing for his absence at the event.
Dwayne Johnson's private jet pilot's urgent warning
Approximately 35 to 40 minutes into the flight, Dwayne Johnson’s pilot approached him with a dire message.
The aircraft was experiencing a serious hydraulic issue, forcing them to turn back.
“The pilot came back to me, got down on one knee, and said, ‘Mr. Johnson, I’m sorry to inform you, but we cannot continue to fly over the ocean. We have a problem,’” Johnson revealed.
The former wrestling champion commended the pilot for prioritizing safety, saying, “There are some issues you can work out in the air, and some where you just don’t take a chance, especially over the ocean.”
Dwayne Johnson reflects on mortality
Dwayne Johnson admitted that the moment made him ponder life’s fragility.
“Like many of us when we hit turbulence, I thought, ‘Is this it? Is this how I check out?’” he shared.
The actor lightened the mood by recalling his response when the flight attendant offered him anything he needed.
“I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll take a drink—make it a double,’” said the WWE legend, according to Daily Mail.
Dwayne Johnson's gratitude and reflection after a safe landing
Though disappointed about missing the UFL event, Dwayne Johnson expressed immense gratitude.
“Bottom line: I’m grateful to be back on the ground. I appreciate God, the universe, and my crew for getting us back safely,” said the 52-year-old actor.
While he wishes he could have been in Houston, Johnson took the incident as a sign to appreciate what truly matters in life.
“When you’re alone with your drink, hoping to make it back safely, you realize real quick what’s important,” he reflected.
