Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
US President Donald Trump’s departure for Texas on Wednesday was briefly delayed after an inflatable emergency slide was seen deployed on his new Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews. Trump later said the slide was being tested and said he was satisfied the aircraft was safe before boarding the plane for Dallas, where he was headed for Republicans’ unusual midterm convention.
advertisement
Trump arrived at the base on Marine One for his scheduled departure, but remained in the helicopter for about 15 minutes while US Air Force personnel attended to the aircraft. During that time, the older blue-and-white presidential plane was seen moving from its hangar onto the tarmac, raising the possibility that it might have to be used for the Texas trip.
The emergency slide was deployed from the front right exit of the new aircraft, across from the door Trump typically uses. The older plane’s front and rear steps were also put in place as the situation unfolded.
Trump eventually emerged from Marine One and said the slide on the new plane was being tested. “They want to make sure everything works perfectly,” he said of the jetliner, which he accepted as a gift from the Qatari government and had refurbished. It was not immediately clear whether the slide had been intentionally inflated for testing or whether there had been an error that needed to be checked and fixed.
Asked whether he was satisfied that the plane was safe, Trump said, “Yeah, I am – or I wouldn’t be on it.” He boarded shortly afterwards as the crew continued working, and they were later seen deflating, detaching and carting away the slide. Air Force One, the designation for whichever aircraft carries a sitting US president, then took off for Dallas shortly after.
With PTI Inputs
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
