Usha Vance Nearly Loses Her Footing Exiting Helicopter While Carrying 9-Week-Old Alec — Video

What began as a routine family departure for Alaska took an unsettling turn in a matter of seconds.

Usha Vance was traveling with her infant son when cameras captured a tense moment at Joint Base Andrews – one that quickly had viewers worried about both mother and baby.

Questions about the family’s departure quickly surfaced online, including one aimed directly at JD Vance. The reactions would become part of a wider discussion as footage from Joint Base Andrews circulated.

The Vance family arrived at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Monday, October 5, before flying to Alaska, where Vice President JD Vance was scheduled to campaign ahead of the midterm elections.

According to USA Today, Usha carried the couple’s 9-week-old son, Alec Neel Vance, in a baby carrier strapped to the front of her body. JD followed with their 4-year-old daughter, Mirabel.

The Alaska Trip Came With a Very Young Passenger

The family was headed to Anchorage, where JD was set to headline a Republican National Committee rally supporting Sen. Dan Sullivan’s reelection campaign against Democrat Mary Peltola.

The trip also marked Usha’s 50th state, adding a personal milestone to the family’s journey. Before boarding, JD spoke about having his family along for the trip.

“Usha and a couple of the kids are joining,” Vance said. “This is Usha’s 50th state, which is why we are bringing a nine-week-old baby on a 7.5-hour flight to Alaska – so if I give a speech tonight and I look haggard and stressed out, that’s exactly why.”

A Few Seconds on the Helicopter Steps Changed the Mood

The video shows Usha descending from the helicopter with Alec secured against her chest.

She initially appears at the aircraft doorway with one hand near the baby. As she makes her way down the steps, she appears to briefly lose her footing and pitches forward.

At the most alarming point, Usha is bent sharply forward with one arm extended as she tries to steady herself. Alec remains secured in the carrier.

Within moments, Usha is upright again at the bottom of the steps. She is later seen smiling while holding and soothing Alec before the family continues toward the waiting plane.

Viewers Raised Questions After Seeing the Footage

On Facebook, viewers quickly weighed in on the tense moment.

One commenter was concerned about having such a young baby on the helicopter: “I don’t find this amusing; but an 11wk. old baby should not be on a helicopter! Seems unsafe, and much TOO loud for tiny ears!! 😡😭😐”

Another questioned, “Where was JD? Why wasn’t he helping?” A third viewer had a similar concern about the baby being on board: “A new born shouldn’t be on a helicopter 🙄.”

Others were simply relieved that the moment ended safely. One wrote, “O good she human too. Was worried. Glad she and little one is good.”

On Instagram, the people standing nearby drew much of the attention. One viewer wrote, “And they all just stood there !!!!!!” Another pointed out: “Chivalry is dead.. no one moved to help her!”

Concern for Alec also surfaced in the comments. One person wrote, “Glad the baby is ok.” Another summed up the tense scene in a single word: “SCARY 😨.”

While the moment drew concern from viewers, Usha Vance was able to regain her footing and composure without falling. The couple welcomed Alec on July 19 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.