>would be interesting to know the real reason her plane was forced to turn around, they claimed due to technical failure
Barring any new 'spoopy' information, I'm taking their word for it (on this one):
They said 'landing gear failed to stow properly' & the proper decision would be to RTB (return-to-base) to Andrews AFB vs land in a Central American country for a couple of reasons:
1) If landing gear failed to retract properly, there is chance it will not fully extend properly for landing - best to land on long/wide runway at Andrews with world-class emergency services vs create an international incident/spectacle in Guatemala
2) Once the plane lands, the mechanics will need a lot of outsized equipment incl aircraft jacks & jack stands, hydraulic pumps, etc to raise & lower the landing gear with the aircraft on the ground - would take several C-5s and several days to get that equipment from Andrews AFB to Guatemala
3) The spare AF-2 aircraft and crew would have been waiting at Andrews AFB, so best COA (course of action) is to RTB to Andrews, swap planes, then proceed on the mission.
These things happen.