The aircraft carrying US President Donald Trump back to the World Economic Forum in Davos had to turn around shortly after takeoff on Tuesday night after a minor electrical problem was detected on board.
Air Force One had taken off from Joint Base Andrews near Washington, DC, and was heading towards Switzerland when the flight crew noticed an issue in the electrical system. As a safety step, the pilots decided to return to base.
White House officials later said the problem was “minor” but the decision to turn back was taken to avoid any risk. The plane landed safely, and no one was injured, as per a CNN report.
Journalists travelling with the president said the cabin lights went out briefly after takeoff. Soon after, the crew informed passengers that the aircraft would be returning to the US.
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The sudden change of plans caused a short delay in Trump’s trip to Davos, where he is scheduled to speak at the annual World Economic Forum. The event brings together world leaders, top business heads and policy experts to discuss global economic and political issues.
Alternative arrangements
After landing back at Joint Base Andrews, Trump and his team moved to make alternative travel plans. Officials said he would continue the journey to Switzerland on a different aircraft.
“The issue was detected early, and the crew followed standard safety procedures,” a White House spokesperson said. “The president is safe and will resume travel shortly.”
Such turnarounds are rare but not unheard of. Even small technical issues are taken very seriously when the president is on board. Air Force One is equipped with multiple backup systems, but flight crews are trained to act fast if anything unusual is noticed.
Trump was returning to Davos after a brief stay in the US. His speech at the forum is expected to focus on the global economy, trade, and America’s role in world affairs.
Trump's participation being watched closely
The World Economic Forum, held every year in the Swiss mountain town of Davos, is one of the most important global meetings. Leaders from governments, big companies, banks and international bodies attend the event.
Trump’s participation is closely watched, especially at a time when global markets are facing uncertainty due to wars, inflation and slowing growth in many regions.
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The delay caused by the aircraft issue is not expected to affect his main schedule in a major way. Officials said efforts were made quickly to arrange another plane so that he could continue the trip with minimum loss of time.
Security teams and logistics staff worked through the night to manage the change. A presidential trip involves detailed planning, and even a small delay can affect many connected events.
Despite the incident, the mood among officials remained calm. They stressed that the system worked as it should. The problem was found early, the plane returned safely, and no emergency situation developed.
Experts say such safety-first decisions are common in aviation, especially when high-profile passengers are involved. Planes are not allowed to take any chances, even if the problem seems small.
The episode once again showed how tightly controlled and cautious presidential travel is. Every step is planned, but safety always comes first.
As Trump prepares to resume his journey, attention will now shift back to Davos, where his speech is expected to draw global attention. World leaders and business heads will be keen to hear his views at a time when the global economy is at a critical stage.
