At a Glance
- Air Force One returned to Joint Base Andrews about an hour after takeoff Tuesday evening
- White House cited “a minor electrical issue” and said the crew acted out of an abundance of caution
- President Trump switched to a backup C-32 and departed for Davos shortly after midnight
- Why it matters: The incident highlights ongoing reliability questions for the aging presidential fleet
President Donald Trump’s Air Force One flight to Switzerland was cut short Tuesday evening after the crew detected an electrical problem, forcing the iconic aircraft to return to Joint Base Andrews and prompting a last-minute aircraft swap.
Electrical Issue Forces Return
The Boeing VC-25A departed Joint Base Andrews shortly before 9 p.m. en route to Davos, Switzerland, where Trump is scheduled to attend the World Economic Forum. About 30 minutes into the flight, reporters aboard were informed the plane would turn back.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the crew identified “a minor electrical issue” and, “out of an abundance of caution,” decided to return. A journalist in the press cabin said the lights briefly went out after takeoff, though no immediate explanation was provided to those on board.
Backup Aircraft Takes Over
After landing, Trump transferred to an Air Force C-32-a modified Boeing 757 normally reserved for domestic trips to smaller airports. The replacement jet departed shortly after midnight, allowing the president to continue his trans-Atlantic journey.
The two VC-25A aircraft that serve as Air Force One have been in service for nearly four decades. Boeing is developing replacements, but the program has encountered repeated delays. Each plane is heavily modified with:
- Radiation shielding
- Antimissile defenses
- Advanced communications suites enabling the president to direct military operations from anywhere in the world
Recent Fleet Scrutiny
Last year Qatar’s ruling family gifted Trump a luxury Boeing 747-8 intended for eventual integration into the presidential fleet. The aircraft is currently undergoing security retrofits. As reporters waited to re-board Tuesday night, Leavitt quipped that the Qatari jet was “sounding much better right now.”
Tuesday’s incident is the latest in a string of high-profile aircraft malfunctions:
- February 2025 – An Air Force plane carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Germany returned to Washington due to a mechanical issue
- October 2024 – A military transport carrying Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an emergency landing in the United Kingdom after a windshield crack was discovered
Immigration Comments En Route
During the same evening, Trump told reporters aboard the initial flight that federal agents “make mistakes sometimes” while enforcing his immigration crackdown. The remark follows weeks of confrontations, including the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good.
Key Takeaways
- The president reached Switzerland roughly three hours behind schedule after switching aircraft
- No injuries were reported during the electrical malfunction
- The White House emphasized the crew’s cautious response rather than any safety threat
- Aging Air Force One planes continue to face reliability questions as replacements remain years away
