“The first lady, 48, was en route to Philadelphia to meet with families affected by neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, when the mechanical problem forced her plane to return to Joint Base Andrews. The plane landed safely, according to reporters’ tweets,” the report notes.
When members of the crew smelled smoke and burning, they handed out wet towels to everyone, to use to cover their faces. Reporters were also deplaned, and booked on a later flight that Mrs. Trump also took. FLOTUS honored her engagement with a slight delay.
According to the tweets from members of the media, the smoke could have been coming from a malfunctioning “comms unit,” but there is no confirmation of that yet.
When President Trump flies on Presidential business, he does so by Air Force One. Air Force Two is usually reserved as backup, or for use by the First Lady and the Vice President, whenever they have to fly for work engagements.
In 2021, as part of a new deal with Boeing, Trump will be getting 2 brand new planes. He recently said that they would no longer be painted in the baby blue we see on the current planes he’s using, but in a more patriotic combination of blue, red and white.
“Mechanical issue” on @FLOTUS plane makes the flight return back to Andrews after it was wheels up to Philly, per pool producer @meghankwelsh who is on board. A “thin haze of smoke” seen.Plane is already back safely on tarmac. Problem may have been a malfunctioning “comms unit.” pic.twitter.com/x90mEMtKJb
— Fin Gomez (@finnygo) October 17, 2018
Photos from pool producer @meghankwelsh showing @FLOTUS getting off her plane this morning. Meghan reports the First Lady’s trip is still on; and a new plane is being readied now. pic.twitter.com/XnvtQlEsWj
— Mike Emanuel (@MikeEmanuelFox) October 17, 2018