Donald Trump : Air Force One Suffers Minor Electrical Glitch, Trump Returns to Washington

Air Force One, which was transporting US President Donald Trump to Switzerland, returned to Washington shortly after takeoff after the crew noticed a “minor electrical issue.” According to White House officials, Air Force One successfully arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Washington on Tuesday night to change aircraft.

The President is visiting Davos, Switzerland, to attend the international Economic Forum with other international leaders.

“After takeoff, the AF1 crew noticed a minor electrical problem. Out of caution, AF1 is returning to Joint Base Andrews. “The President and his team will board a different plane and fly to Switzerland,” the Official White House Rapid Response said in an X post.

Why did Trump’s Air Force One turn back midway to Switzerland?

According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the decision to return was made shortly after takeoff when the crew aboard Air Force One discovered “a minor electrical issue” and opted to turn around out of caution. She further stated that when the President returns, he will board another aircraft and go on to the World Economic Forum in Davos.

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A reporter on board said that the lights in the aircraft’s press cabin went out just after takeoff, but no explanation was immediately provided. About half an hour into the journey, reporters were informed that the jet would be turning around.

Air safety events involving the US President or Vice President

Air safety accidents involving the US president or vice president are infrequent, but not unprecedented.

Last February, an Air Force jet transporting Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Germany had to return to Washington due to a mechanical problem. In October, a military plane carrying Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was forced to make an emergency landing in the United Kingdom owing to a cracked windshield.

Air Force One was flying then-President Barack Obama to a Connecticut event when it canceled a landing due to poor weather in 2011. A year later, in 2012, Air Force Two, carrying then-Vice President Joe Biden, collided with birds in California before landing safely without incident.

Notably, the two planes that currently serve as Air Force One have been flying for nearly four decades. Boeing has been working on replacements, but there have been several delays.

The planes are substantially modified to provide the president with survivability capabilities for a variety of eventualities, such as radiation protection and antimissile equipment. They also feature a range of communication tools that allow the president to maintain contact with the military and give orders from anywhere in the world.

Last year, Qatar’s ruling family handed Trump a luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet to be added to the Air Force One fleet, a move that drew widespread criticism. The plane is currently being upgraded to meet security criteria.