Technical issue turns Kamala Harris' plane around just after takeoff for Guatemala

Courtney Subramanian, USA TODAY
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Vice President Kamala Harris’ first trip abroad to Guatemala and Mexico got off to a rocky start Sunday, when a technical issue grounded the plane after about 30 minutes into the flight.

“I’m good. I’m good,” she told reporters after she deplaned. “We all said a little prayer, but we’re good.”

Related: Harris tackles migration in high-profile visit to Guatemala and Mexico. Here’s what’s on the agenda.

United States Air Force Lt. Col. Neil Senkowski escorts Vice President Kamala Harris after she deplaned Air Force Two when a technical issue forced the aircraft to return and land at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on June 6, 2021, as she was en route to Guatemala City.
United States Air Force Lt. Col. Neil Senkowski escorts Vice President Kamala Harris after she deplaned Air Force Two when a technical issue forced the aircraft to return and land at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on June 6, 2021, as she was en route to Guatemala City.

Reporters heard an unusual noise coming from the landing gear, but the plane arrived safely back at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.

“It is a technical issue. There are no major safety concerns,” Harris chief spokeswoman Symone Sanders told reporters before landing.

Harris switched planes before continuing on to Guatemala City, where she’ll hold the first of two days of talks on Monday to discuss the root causes of migration from Central America and Mexico.

Harris’ flight was delayed by two hours after her initial departure time.

Upon landing in Guatemala, Sanders offered more details on the situation: “Shortly after takeoff from Joint Base Andrews en route to Guatemala City, the Air Force Two crew noticed the landing gear was not storing as it should, which could lead to further mechanical issues. While there was no immediate safety issue, out of an abundance of caution, they returned to Joint Base Andrews where they have all the parts and mechanics they need to fix the issue. Passengers boarded the back-up C32, which is an Air Force Boeing modified 757.”

Vice President Kamala Harris is greeted by United States Air Force Lt. Col. Neil Senkowski as she deplanes Air Force Two after a technical issue forced the aircraft to return and land at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on June 6, 2021, as she was en route to Guatemala City.
Vice President Kamala Harris is greeted by United States Air Force Lt. Col. Neil Senkowski as she deplanes Air Force Two after a technical issue forced the aircraft to return and land at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on June 6, 2021, as she was en route to Guatemala City.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kamala Harris' plane to Guatemala turns back after technical issue