President Donald Trump’s plane was forced to abort its flight to Switzerland on Tuesday night and return to the Washington area after crew members detected what the White House described as a “minor electrical issue” shortly after takeoff. Air Force One landed safely at Joint Base Andrews, where the president transferred to another aircraft to continue his journey to the World Economic Forum in Davos.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decision to turn back was taken “out of an abundance of caution” once the issue was identified. A White House pool reporter traveling with the president said the lights briefly flickered in the press cabin after the aircraft became airborne, though no further details about the fault were provided.
The incident delayed but did not cancel Trump’s trip to Davos, where he is scheduled to join other world leaders for the annual economic gathering. Speaking to reporters before departing, Trump hinted at a contentious visit, saying, “It’s going to be a very interesting Davos,” as tensions simmer over his threat to impose tariffs on European countries amid his renewed push to acquire Greenland.
Air safety incidents involving U.S. presidents are rare, reflecting the extensive maintenance and safeguards surrounding the presidential fleet, but they are not unprecedented. In 2011, an Air Force One carrying President Barack Obama aborted a landing due to bad weather, and in 2012 a plane carrying then–Vice President Joe Biden struck birds before landing safely in California.
The episode has also renewed attention on the age of the two aircraft currently serving as Air Force One, both of which have been in operation for nearly four decades. Boeing has faced repeated delays in delivering replacement jets, prolonging reliance on the aging fleet. Adding to the controversy, Trump drew scrutiny in 2025 after Qatar’s ruling family presented him with a luxury Boeing 747-8 intended for use as part of the presidential fleet. That aircraft is still being refitted to meet U.S. security requirements. Leavitt joked to reporters that the Qatari jet was sounding “much better” in light of Tuesday’s incident.
The delegation traveling with Trump includes Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, and National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett. Recent months have seen other high-level U.S. officials experience flight disruptions, including Rubio’s return to Washington in February 2025 due to a mechanical issue and an emergency landing in Britain last October involving a plane carrying Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Despite the setback, the White House emphasized that the situation was handled smoothly and safely, allowing the president to proceed with his international travel plans after a brief and precautionary interruption.
