'Technical issue' forces Harris back to air base after departing on trip to Guatemala

June 6 (UPI) -- Vice President Kamala Harris was forced to return to Joint Base Andrews on Sunday after her plane experienced a "technical issue" on its way to Guatemala Sunday.

Reporters in the print pool onboard Air Force Two said there was "an unusual noise that came from the landing gear" when the plane took off as Harris prepared to embark on her first international trip as vice president.

"It is a technical issue. There are no major safety concerns," Harris chief spokeswoman Symone Sanders said.

Harris deplaned Air Force Two at around 3:06 p.m.

"Everybody good?" she asked reporters after leaving the plane. "I'm good, I'm good. We all said a little prayer but we're good."

Harris boarded a new Air Force Two at 4:19 p.m. and the plane departed shortly after.

President Joe Biden in March appointed Harris to lead the administration's efforts to stem immigration at the southern U.S. border, tasking her to meet with the leaders of Mexico and the northern triangle of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, amid an influx of unaccompanied minors at U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities.