Donald Trump’s departure for Texas was briefly delayed on Wednesday after an emergency slide deployed from the new Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
The president had arrived by Marine One and was waiting to board the Qatar-gifted aircraft for a Republican midterm convention in Dallas when the inflatable slide was seen extending from the front right exit and reaching the ground. Air Force personnel attended to the aircraft while Trump remained on the helicopter for around 15 minutes. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/867105a4c6dd60cf2b927daa62e8d7b9))
The older blue-and-white presidential aircraft was then moved out of its hangar and positioned nearby, with steps placed at its front and rear in case it was needed as a substitute. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/867105a4c6dd60cf2b927daa62e8d7b9))
Sources familiar with the incident said a member of the aircraft’s crew had accidentally activated the emergency slide. Trump later told reporters that it was being checked and insisted there was no safety concern.
“They were doing a check on the slide, you know?” he said. Asked whether he was confident the aircraft was safe to fly, Mr Trump replied: “Yeah, I am, or I wouldn’t be on it.” ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/867105a4c6dd60cf2b927daa62e8d7b9))
The slide was deflated, detached and removed by workers while the president boarded the aircraft. Air Force One subsequently departed for Dallas without further incident. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/867105a4c6dd60cf2b927daa62e8d7b9))
The Boeing 747 was accepted as a gift from Qatar and underwent an accelerated refurbishment before Mr Trump began using it on presidential journeys on July 1. The aircraft has faced scrutiny over its security systems, with the White House previously saying it would receive further upgrades and enhancements while the president used the older Air Force One. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/68f3b668941e0bf1f491baa14f9cbf2c))
