Plane carrying first lady Melania Trump turns around after 'burning' smell reported on board

A plane carrying first lady Melania Trump was forced to turn around shortly after takeoff Wednesday after reports of a "burning smell" by members of the press on board the flight.

A Fox News reporter said there was “a thin haze of smoke and smell [of] something burning.”

The smell quickly became stronger about 10 minutes after takeoff, she added.

The smell was reportedly coming from “a malfunctioning comms unit” on board. The first lady's communications director Stephanie Grisham said in a statement that it was simply a "minor mechanical issue," and added, "everything is fine and everyone is safe.”

Trump was on her way to Philadelphia for a visit to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital related to her "Be Best" campaign and work to highlight the opioid epidemic. The first lady boarded a separate smaller aircraft soon afterwards and continued forward with her trip.