Flight Turns Back Shortly After Departure
Air Force One turned around shortly after takeoff Tuesday night while carrying President Donald Trump, forcing the aircraft to return to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. The White House said the decision was made as a precaution following a technical issue.
According to press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the flight crew detected a minor electrical problem about twenty minutes after departure. As a result, the pilots chose to head back to base out of caution rather than continue overseas.
Brief Power Issue Reported Onboard
Reporters traveling with the president said the lights in the press cabin briefly went out after takeoff. Although the issue did not last long, it added to concerns inside the aircraft.
The plane left Joint Base Andrews at 10:20 p.m. and returned roughly forty five minutes later. Air Force One touched down safely at 11:07 p.m., with no injuries or further complications reported.
While onboard, Leavitt made a lighthearted remark, joking that a Qatari jet sounded much better at the moment. Still, officials stressed that safety protocols worked as intended.
Trump Continues Trip on Different Aircraft
Trump was headed to Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum when the issue occurred. After landing back in Maryland, the president boarded a different aircraft shortly after midnight.
That replacement flight departed without incident. Trump arrived safely in Zurich around 6:45 a.m. Eastern Time, according to the White House.
Officials emphasized that the situation did not disrupt Trump’s schedule beyond a short delay. The president continued on to Switzerland as planned and was able to attend his scheduled events.
Routine Safety Decision, White House Says
The White House described the incident as a routine safety decision. Leavitt said the crew followed standard procedures and acted quickly once the issue appeared.
Although Air Force One is built with multiple backup systems, even small technical concerns can trigger a return. Officials noted that caution remains the top priority whenever the president travels.
