President Donald Trump was forced to return to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Tuesday evening after a “minor electrical issue” was detected aboard Air Force One shortly after takeoff, the White House said.
The president had been en route to Switzerland, where he is scheduled to address the World Economic Forum in Davos. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the aircraft turned back as a precaution once the crew identified the issue after departure.
“The trip will continue on a new aircraft,” Leavitt said, adding that the decision to return was made “out of an abundance of caution.”
According to a reporter travelling with the press pool, the lights in the press cabin briefly went out soon after takeoff, though no immediate explanation was provided to those on board.
Upon returning to the Washington, DC, area, Trump is expected to transfer to another aircraft and proceed with his planned travel to Davos, White House officials said.
The incident comes as the current Air Force One fleet—two aircraft that have been in service for nearly 40 years—continues to age. Boeing has been working on replacement planes, but the long-running program has been plagued by repeated delays.
