Emergency slide inflates accidentally on Air Force One before Trump trip

An emergency slide inflated by accident on the Boeing 747 that serves as Air Force One during pre-flight checks at Joint Base Andrews on September 9, 2026, briefly delaying President Donald Trump. The aircraft was being prepared for a flight to Dallas, where Trump was due to attend the Republican midterm convention.

According to US media, military personnel triggered the slide unintentionally. Footage from the base showed two individuals working to resolve the situation. The slide was ultimately removed.

While waiting, the president spoke with reporters and was asked whether he was confident the aircraft was safe. "Yeah, I am — or I wouldn't be on it," he said.

The Boeing 747 was gifted by Qatar and accepted by the US Department of Defense in May 2025. It has been used for presidential flights since July 1, 2026, when Trump first flew on it from Joint Base Andrews to Medora, North Dakota. The Air Force has said the plane relieves pressure on the older VC-25A fleet until the new VC-25B enters service.

The aircraft keeps much of the previous head of state interior layout and is painted in a new red, white, and blue livery.