President Donald Trump’s plane, Air Force One, returned to Joint Base Andrews about an hour after departing for Switzerland on Tuesday evening.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decision to return was made after takeoff, when the crew aboard Air Force One identified “a minor electrical issue” and, out of an abundance of caution, decided to turn back.
A White House pool reporter traveling with the president reported that the lights in Air Force One’s press cabin briefly flickered after takeoff, though the crew did not immediately explain the cause.
About half an hour into the flight, the crew informed reporters that the plane would turn around.
Leavitt said that upon landing, President Trump was expected to board a second plane to continue his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“After takeoff, the AF1 crew identified a minor electrical issue. Out of an abundance of caution, AF1 is returning to Joint Base Andrews. The President and team will board a different aircraft and continue on to Switzerland,” Leavitt said.
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Air Force One Jets
The two aging jets currently serving as Air Force One have been in service for nearly four decades.
Efforts by Boeing to deliver their replacements have been hampered by repeated delays.
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Recent US Top Officials’ Emergency Landings
Trump’s incident adds to the list of top U.S. officials who have been forced to make emergency landings due to various issues.
In February 2025, an Air Force plane carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Germany had to return to Washington due to a mechanical issue.
In October 2025, a military plane carrying Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an emergency landing in the United Kingdom after a crack developed in the windshield.
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Photo of US President Donald Trump. PHOTO/White HouseForce
