Breaking news regarding Melania Trump where we’re seeing reports that the flight she was on from D.C. to Philadelphia was forced to return to Joint Base Andrews after smoke and a burning smell was reported in the cabin:
Plane carrying @FLOTUS has returned to Joint Base Andrews. Pool reporters aboard said a "thin haze of smoke" was visible and smelled something burning. Passengers given wet towels to assist breathing.
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) October 17, 2018
FLOTUS was on her way to Philadelphia to tour a children's hospital.
— Steven Portnoy (@stevenportnoy) October 17, 2018
.@FLOTUS plane was wheels up and headed to Philadelphia from JBA but had to turn around due to a mechanical issue, per pool. The first lady was slated to visit Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and meet with families but the trip is now being re-evaluated.
— Monica Alba (@albamonica) October 17, 2018
Problem aboard First Lady's plane, returning to @Andrews_JBA. Press pool aboard reports "thin haze of smoke" was visible and the smell of something burning. Passengers given wet towels to breathe through. Told a "mechanical issue" was detected.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) October 17, 2018
Pool producer aboard @FLOTUS plane notes a few minutes after takeoff a few Secret Service got up from their seats and headed toward front of the plane. “A few moments later we could see a thin haze of smoke and smell something burning. The smell quickly became stronger.”
— Mike Emanuel (@MikeEmanuelFox) October 17, 2018
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Early reports are that a “malfunctioning comms unit” was to blame:
During FLOTUS flight the plane was turned around back to Andrews AFB. Landed safely. Reporters on plane brought wet towels. Told to hold them over faces if smoke smell became too strong. Pool says smoke from “a malfunctioning comms unit” that had overheated. No confirmation.
— Edward Lawrence (@NewsEdward) October 17, 2018
Thankfully it sound like everyone is alright:
We're told @flotus is safe… but mechanical issues detected aboard her plane. @KABBFOX29 https://t.co/pptRZBcZIV
— Ryan Wolf (@ryanwolf) October 17, 2018
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