Warrenton, Virginia — March 13, 2026 — A strong chemical odor reported at the Federal Aviation Administration’s Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility forced temporary ground stops Friday evening at several major airports serving the Washington, D.C. region, disrupting travel for thousands of passengers during the busy evening hours.
The affected airports included Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), and Richmond International Airport (RIC). The Potomac TRACON, located in Warrenton, Virginia, approximately 50 miles west of the capital, handles radar approach control for a high-volume airspace covering commercial, general aviation, and military flights in the Baltimore-Washington and Richmond-Charlottesville areas.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the ground stop around 6:30 p.m. ET via X (formerly Twitter), stating that the FAA was actively addressing “the source of a strong odor coming from Potomac TRACON that is impacting operations at the three airports.” Controllers at the facility reported the smell affecting some personnel, prompting safety measures including evacuations in parts of the building to ensure worker well-being. No injuries were reported.
The FAA issued the ground stops to prevent additional aircraft from entering the airspace while the issue was resolved, leading to inbound flights being diverted and departures held on the ground. Delays quickly mounted, with some airports reporting departure holds exceeding 90 minutes to three hours or more as operations recovered. The disruption also rippled to nearby facilities, including reports of related delays at Philadelphia International Airport.
The incident drew immediate attention due to the critical role of Potomac TRACON in one of the nation’s busiest air corridors. The facility, operational since the early 2000s and managed by the FAA, has previously experienced issues, including a 2023 fire that halted regional flights for hours.
FAA officials, working with local fire departments from Fauquier and Prince William Counties, investigated the source throughout the evening. By approximately 8:00–8:30 p.m. ET, the ground stops were lifted after firefighters confirmed no ongoing danger to personnel.
Secretary Duffy provided a follow-up update, confirming that the odor originated from an overheated circuit board within the facility. The faulty component was replaced, allowing controllers to return and resume normal operations.
“The ground stop is over and operations have resumed,” Duffy posted. “Firefighters from Fauquier County and Prince William County confirm there is no danger to air traffic controllers, and they are returning to the Potomac TRACON. Thank you for your patience as we get flights up and running again.”
The FAA continues to monitor recovery efforts, with residual delays expected into the overnight hours and early Saturday as airlines reposition aircraft and crews. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines or use FAA resources for the latest flight status.
No evidence suggests foul play or a broader security threat, and officials emphasized that the event was isolated to an equipment-related issue rather than a hazardous chemical release. The incident underscores ongoing challenges in maintaining aging infrastructure at key air traffic control nodes amid high demand for air travel.
