Air Force One Returns to Andrews After 'Minor Electrical Issue'; Trump Continues to Davos on Backup Plane
President Donald Trump's Air Force One returned to Joint Base Andrews after a minor electrical issue; he departed aboard a backup Boeing 757 to Davos.
Overview
President Donald Trump's Air Force One returned to Joint Base Andrews late Tuesday after crew identified a 'minor electrical issue,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Open-source flight tracking data showed the plane turned over the Atlantic off Long Island; the VC-25 landed safely just after 11 p.m. ET and staff moved luggage to a replacement aircraft.
Trump boarded a smaller Boeing 757 that departed just after midnight, resuming his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos where he is scheduled to meet world leaders and deliver a speech.
The two VC-25 Boeing 747s serving as Air Force One have flown for nearly four decades; replacement delays, a gifted Qatari 747-8 retrofit and additional Boeing purchases have prompted logistical and security questions.
While such technical issues are uncommon for presidential aircraft, recent incidents have included a helicopter hydraulic problem during a U.K. visit and other military-plane returns, underscoring operational complexity.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story by juxtaposing a brief official statement about a 'minor electrical issue' with broader political controversy—Greenland talk, tariff threats—and market declines. Editorial choices—selective sourcing, placement of political context immediately after the incident, and colloquial evaluative lines like 'allies unhappy'—create a narrative of instability despite limited technical detail.
Sources (3)
FAQ
The crew identified a 'minor electrical issue' after takeoff; a reporter noted that lights in the press cabin went out briefly, but no further explanation was provided.
President Trump boarded a smaller Boeing 757 that departed just after midnight from Joint Base Andrews to resume his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The two VC-25 Boeing 747s have been in service for nearly four decades, with Boeing's replacement program delayed; a Qatari-gifted 747-8 is under retrofit amid scrutiny.
Such technical issues are uncommon for presidential aircraft, though recent incidents include a helicopter hydraulic problem during a U.K. visit and other military plane returns.
History
This story does not have any previous versions.