A private flight carrying former US President Donald Trump was forced into a sudden emergency landing on Monday evening after his aircraft suffered a dramatic engine failure.
The incident occurred shortly after Trump's iconic Boeing 757, dubbed 'Trump Force One', took off from New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport. The aircraft was en route to Palm Beach, Florida, when the crew reported alarming engine trouble.
Pilots issued a Pan-Pan alert, the international standard for urgent scenarios that are not immediately life-threatening, and swiftly turned the large jet back towards the airport. The plane landed safely without injury to Mr. Trump, his staff, or crew.
Eyewitnesses Report Dramatic Scenes
Aviation enthusiasts and spotters tracked the aircraft's distress call and rapid return. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since confirmed it is investigating the incident involving the Boeing 757, registration N757AF.
This is not the first mechanical issue to plague the ageing aircraft. The jet, a central part of Trump's public image during his 2016 campaign, has been largely grounded in recent years due to its exorbitant operating costs and maintenance needs, estimated at nearly $100,000 per flight hour.
A History of Mechanical Problems
Trump's relationship with the 757 has been a turbulent one. The plane, which he purchased from Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in 2011, features a luxurious interior with gold-plated seatbelts, a private bedroom, and a conference room.
However, its reliability has been repeatedly called into question. In a separate incident last year, the jet was photographed with its engines covered, indicating significant periods of inactivity and ongoing maintenance issues. This latest emergency landing raises serious new questions about the airworthiness of the former President's primary mode of transport.
The event comes at a critical time for Trump, who is actively campaigning for the 2024 presidential election. The safety and reliability of his campaign transport will undoubtedly be a key consideration moving forward.
