US President Donald Trump’s Air Force One aircraft returned safely to Joint Base Andrews near Washington on Tuesday night after a minor electrical issue was identified shortly after takeoff, according to media reports.
The aircraft was en route to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, when the flight crew detected the issue. As a precaution, the plane turned back to allow the president to switch to another aircraft, Reuters reported.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the trip would continue on a different aircraft, emphasizing that the issue was minor and that all safety protocols were followed.
A reporter on board the flight said that lights in the press cabin briefly went out shortly after takeoff. No immediate explanation was given at the time, but approximately 30 minutes into the flight, reporters were informed that the aircraft would be returning, according to the Associated Press.
Despite the unexpected return, officials confirmed that there was no immediate danger to the president, crew, or passengers. The decision to change aircraft was described as a routine safety measure.
The incident follows other recent mechanical issues involving US government aircraft. In February last year, an Air Force plane carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio was forced to return to Washington due to a mechanical problem.
Similarly, in October, a military aircraft transporting Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an emergency landing in the United Kingdom after a crack was discovered in the windshield.
While such incidents are rare, they highlight the strict safety standards governing presidential and senior government travel, with any technical irregularity prompting immediate precautionary action.
