MARYLAND— President Donald Trump’s departure for Dallas was briefly delayed on September 9 after an emergency evacuation slide deployed from the new Boeing 747-8 aircraft serving as Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews (ADW).
Trump had arrived aboard Marine One and was preparing to board the Qatar-gifted presidential aircraft for a flight to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
The inflatable slide extended from the front-right side of the aircraft as Air Force personnel worked around the jet. Trump remained aboard Marine One for roughly 20 minutes before approaching reporters and saying that personnel were checking the slide to ensure it worked properly.
Air Force One Delay Before Departure
The incident occurred shortly before Trump was scheduled to leave Washington for a Republican midterm convention in Dallas.
The deployed slide was positioned on the side opposite the door normally used by the president, while personnel inspected and eventually removed the inflatable equipment from the aircraft.
Trump said the slide inspection would take about 15 minutes and dismissed concerns about the aircraft’s safety. When asked whether he was confident the plane was safe to fly, he said he was, adding that he would not board it otherwise.
The U.S. Air Force described the event as an emergency slide deployment and confirmed that the aircraft continued safely on its planned route. The slide was deflated and taken away before the presidential aircraft departed for Texas.
Slide Deployment Explained Before Departure
Trump characterized the deployment as part of a check designed to ensure that the emergency system worked correctly. However, separate reports citing people familiar with the incident said a military crew member accidentally triggered the slide while working on the aircraft.
The distinction is significant because emergency slides are critical evacuation equipment rather than systems normally deployed casually before a presidential flight.
Boeing documentation for the 747-8 describes procedures that allow the evacuation system to be disarmed during certain door operations, highlighting the importance of correctly handling the aircraft’s emergency equipment.
The aircraft involved is the VC-25B Bridge, a modified Boeing 747-8 that the U.S. Air Force brought to Joint Base Andrews in June 2026. The aircraft was developed as an interim presidential transport while the longer-term VC-25B program progresses.
Qatar-Gifted Jet Continues Presidential Flight
Despite the disruption, Trump proceeded with the flight after crews dealt with the deployed slide.
The aircraft subsequently arrived in Dallas without a reported safety problem, allowing the president to continue his scheduled political appearance.
The incident adds another unusual episode to the short operational history of the Qatar-gifted aircraft. Trump began flying aboard the 747-8 in July, while the aircraft is also expected to undergo additional security upgrades later in 2026, One Mile At A Time reported.
The emergency slide deployment did not prevent the aircraft from completing its mission, but it temporarily disrupted the presidential travel schedule and drew attention to the handling of safety equipment aboard the new Air Force One.
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