Air Force One Returns to Washington Due to Minor Electrical Issue
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President Trump's flight to Switzerland was interrupted by a minor electrical issue, prompting a return to Washington and a switch to an alternate aircraft.
President Donald Trump's flight to Switzerland was interrupted Tuesday evening when Air Force One returned to Joint Base Andrews shortly after departure due to a minor electrical issue. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the crew identified the problem after takeoff and, "out of an abundance of caution," decided to turn back.
A reporter on board noted that the lights in the press cabin briefly went out after takeoff, though no immediate explanation was provided.
Upon returning to Washington, President Trump transferred to an Air Force C-32, a modified Boeing 757 typically used for domestic trips, and continued his journey to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The current Air Force One aircraft have been in service for nearly four decades. Boeing is developing replacements, but the program has faced delays.
In 2025, Qatar's ruling family gifted President Trump a luxury Boeing 747-8 to be added to the presidential fleet, a move that drew scrutiny. The aircraft is currently being retrofitted to meet U.S. security standards.
Leavitt humorously remarked to reporters that the Qatari jet was sounding "much better" after the incident.
This event follows other recent mechanical issues involving U.S. officials' flights. In February 2025, an Air Force plane carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Germany returned to Washington due to a mechanical issue. In October, a military plane carrying Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an emergency landing in the United Kingdom because of a cracked windshield.
Source
The GuardianFact-checking
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