FLIGHT OR FRIGHT: The plane carrying First Lady Melania Trump to Philadelphia for a goodwill hospital visit this morning had to track back to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland after a small amount of smoke could be seen in the plane and a burning smell was detected, according to a press pool report.
Fifteen minutes into what was supposed to be a 30-minute flight, the aircraft was rerouted. FLOTUS spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham described the issue as “minor,” and she told the press pool more information would be given later after diagnostics were completed, the pool report said.
A flight crew member handed out damp washcloths to passengers to hold over their faces for the odor, which also reportedly included Secretary of Health and Human services Alex M. Azar. Trump, her team and select members of the media had been traveling on a Boeing C-32A “Bright Star.”
A staffer entered the compartment where media types were seated to inform them of a “mechanical problem” and the need to return to Joint Base Andrews for reevaluation on the tarmac. Shortly after 9 a.m., the plane landed and passengers were shepherded to a lounge area. The trip was expected to go forward with a second aircraft, according
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