Washington Air Traffic Chaos Follows Unexplained Hazard

Clear Facts

• A key radar facility in Warrenton, Virginia, was evacuated on Friday, forcing immediate flight ground stops across the Washington, D.C., region.
• The Potomac Consolidated Terminal Radar Approach Control facility switched to ATC ZERO status after reports of a strong smell.
• Major airports affected include Reagan National, Dulles International, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued ground stops for multiple airports in the Washington, D.C., region on Friday.

The disruption began after officials evacuated a key air traffic control facility in Virginia.

Affected locations include Ronald Reagan Washington National, Washington Dulles International, Baltimore-Washington International, Charlottesville, and Richmond.

The incident stems from an environmental issue at the Potomac Consolidated Terminal Radar Approach Control facility.

The facility manages roughly 20,000 square miles of airspace and directs flights for the nation’s capital.

An FAA spokesperson stated the ground stop followed reports of a strong smell at the site.

The evacuation prompted an immediate switch to ATC ZERO, effectively halting operations at the radar center.

This shutdown highlights the vulnerability of American airspace to unexpected incidents.

Potomac TRACON is responsible for coordinating complex arrivals and departures in the busy D.C. corridor.

Operations remain stalled while the source of the odor is investigated.

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Ground Stops Ordered For DC Area Airports