The Air Force One.
Credit: Reuters Photo
US President Donald Trump's Air Force One plane returned to Joint Base Andrews in about an hour after departing for Switzerland on Tuesday.
This comes as the crew on board identified a minor electrical issue. The step was a precautionary measure, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
According to a reporter onboard the flight, the lights in the press cabin of the aircraft went out briefly after takeoff, but no explanation was immediately offered.
Reporters were told they would be turning back in about half-an-hour of flight.
Trump, who was on board during the incident, said he would board another aircraft and continue embark on his trip to Davos for the World Economic Forum.
The aircraft used as Air Force One have been flying for close to two decades. Though Boeing has been working on replacements, the programme has faced a series of delays.
Air Force One planes are modified with survivability capabilities for the president for a range of contingencies, including radiation shielding and antimissile technology.
They also include a variety of communications systems to allow the president to remain in contact with the military and issue orders from anywhere in the world.
The ruling family of Qatar gifted Trump with a luxury Boeing 747-8 jet last year to be added to the Air Force One fleet. However, the gesture attracted scrutiny.
That plane is currently being retrofitted to meet security requirements.
Meanwhile, Leavitt joked to reporters on Air Force One Tuesday night that a Qatari jet was sounding “much better” right now.