Here’s what happened.
President Donald Trump faced an unexpected Air Force One delay Wednesday after an emergency evacuation slide deployed at Joint Base Andrews shortly before his flight to Dallas.
The unusual situation temporarily interrupted the president’s travel plans as he prepared to attend the Republican midterm convention in Texas.
Air Force personnel could be seen working around the presidential aircraft while the large inflatable slide extended from an exit near the front of the Boeing 747-8.
Trump, who had arrived at Joint Base Andrews aboard Marine One, remained on the helicopter for roughly 15 minutes as crews addressed the situation.
Air Force One Emergency Slide Draws Attention
The deployed slide quickly became the focus of reporters gathered at the base.
Reuters reported that the evacuation slide appeared to have been accidentally activated shortly before Trump was expected to board. The Associated Press reported that the precise circumstances were not immediately clear and noted that Trump described the activity as crews testing the equipment.
The president eventually emerged from Marine One and spoke with reporters about what was happening.
Trump said personnel wanted to ensure that the equipment aboard the aircraft was working properly before departure.
When asked whether the situation represented a security concern, Trump indicated that it did not.
He also suggested that resolving the issue would take approximately 15 minutes.
Trump Asked About Air Force One Safety
Reporters questioned the president about whether the unexpected incident raised broader concerns about the aircraft.
Trump expressed confidence in the plane and indicated that he would not board it if he believed it was unsafe.
The president appeared relaxed during the exchange and even used his arms to demonstrate the motion of an evacuation slide while discussing the incident.
Despite the unusual sight on the runway, there was no indication from available reporting that the aircraft had experienced an engine or flight-control problem.
The issue centered on the inflatable emergency evacuation slide.
WATCH:
Trump's flight to Dallas was delayed Wednesday after an emergency slide on the new Air Force One inflated on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews.
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) September 9, 2026
Trump said workers were checking it and nothing was wrong. The slide was deflated and removed, and the plane took off without incident. pic.twitter.com/22oVoUTLFw
Backup Presidential Aircraft Positioned Nearby
The incident also produced another noteworthy development at Joint Base Andrews.
As crews attended to the newer aircraft, the older blue-and-white presidential jet was moved onto the tarmac nearby.
Stairs were positioned at the older plane, suggesting it was available if the president needed an alternative aircraft for his trip to Texas.
That ultimately proved unnecessary.
Personnel deflated, detached and removed the deployed evacuation slide. Trump then boarded the newer Air Force One and continued with his scheduled trip.
The presidential aircraft departed for Dallas shortly afterward.
Incident Involves New Air Force One
Wednesday’s situation attracted additional attention because it involved the Boeing 747-8 provided to the United States by Qatar and refurbished for presidential travel.
Trump began flying aboard the aircraft in July after an accelerated effort to prepare the jet for presidential use.
The plane has been the subject of considerable public and political attention because of its origin, cost and conversion for use by the president.
A Boeing 747-8 typically carries multiple inflatable evacuation slides designed to help passengers safely reach the ground during an emergency.
Wednesday’s incident involved one of those slides.
Trump recently said the aircraft is expected to be temporarily taken out of service in October for additional security upgrades.
Trump Continues to Dallas GOP Convention
The brief Air Force One delay came on an important political day for Republicans.
Trump was traveling to Dallas for the Republican Party’s first midterm convention, a two-day gathering intended to generate enthusiasm ahead of the November elections.
The president is a central figure at the event and is scheduled to speak on both nights.
Vice President JD Vance, administration officials, Republican lawmakers and candidates are also participating in the gathering.
The convention is focused on Republican priorities heading into the final stretch of the midterm campaign, making Trump’s arrival in Dallas one of the most closely watched moments of the event.
Brief Delay Ends Without Further Problems
Ultimately, the unusual Air Force One incident resulted in a relatively short delay rather than a major disruption.
After personnel finished addressing the emergency slide, Trump boarded the aircraft and continued to Texas.
No further problem with the plane was immediately reported before its departure.
For Americans following presidential travel and the newly refurbished Air Force One, however, the sight of a large emergency slide deployed on the runway created an unexpected moment on what was already scheduled to be a significant day for Trump and the Republican Party.