Trump's plane lands safely after 'minor electrical issue' on his way to Davos

U.S. President Donald Trump safely switched aircraft after a minor electrical issue was detected on Air Force One shortly after takeoff, the White House said. He continued his journey on another plane to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Steve Holland/Reuters

January 21, 2026

Trump's plane lands safely after 'minor electrical issue' on his way to Davos

U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One for travel to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., January 20, 2026.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump landed safely on Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews near Washington to change aircraft on Tuesday night after crew on his initial flight identified what the White House called a "minor electrical issue" shortly after takeoff.

After the Boeing BA.N 747 landed, the trip continued on a smaller Boeing 757 that departed just after midnight local time (0500 GMT) on Wednesday, more than two hours after the initial flight took off.

Trump is traveling to join other world leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Air safety incidents involving the U.S. president or vice president are rare, but not unprecedented.

Air Force One aborted a landing due to bad weather while carrying President Barack Obama to an event in Connecticut in 2011. In 2012, the Air Force Two plane carrying then-Vice President Joe Biden was struck by birds in California, before it landed without a problem.

-Steve Holland/Reuters