Emergency Slide Delays Trump’s Air Force One Departure by 15 Minutes on New 747-8
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 9
Emergency Slide Delays Trump’s Air Force One Departure by 15 Minutes on New 747-8
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 9
Summary
A military aide accidentally deployed an inflatable emergency slide on the new Air Force One, delaying Trump’s departure from Joint Base Andrews to Dallas by about 15 minutes.
Trump publicly described the episode as a check to ensure “everything works perfectly,” and the White House declined to detail the accident beyond saying the plane was en route.
The Boeing 747-8’s slide system can require inspection, refolding and recertification after deployment, though a replacement unit can be installed to return the aircraft to service faster.
The mishap adds to scrutiny of the Qatari-donated jet, which was rapidly retrofitted after transfer to the U.S. and has already faced questions about missing defensive capabilities and security.