The White House and the Federal Aviation Administration say it was a routine maneuver where the pilot was in the process of landing, but because of weather conditions decided to circle the runway before trying again and landing safely.
The sky was heavily clouded in New London, where the president traveled Wednesday morning to deliver the commencement address at the United States Coast Guard Academy.
White House spokesman Nick Shapiro says there was never any risk to the president. Reporters on the plane say they were not aware that the landing maneuver - which is called a "go around" - was happening.
