Ground Stop Issued at DC-Area Airports Due to Equipment Outage

FAA investigating strong chemical smell at traffic control center

Mar. 13, 2026 at 10:54pm

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Three airports in the Washington, D.C. area are under a ground stop due to an equipment outage, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The FAA is investigating a strong odor coming from Potomac TRACON, a facility coordinating air traffic in the area, which has led to delays of 90 minutes and rising.

Why it matters

This ground stop at major DC-area airports could significantly disrupt air travel in the region, impacting both passengers and airlines. The cause of the equipment outage and chemical smell is still under investigation, raising concerns about the safety and reliability of the air traffic control system.

The details

According to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, the FAA has issued a ground stop at three airports in the Washington, D.C. area due to an equipment outage. The FAA is investigating a strong odor coming from the Potomac TRACON, the air traffic control facility that coordinates flights in the region. This has led to delays of at least 90 minutes, with the delays expected to continue rising.

  • The ground stop was issued on March 13, 2026.

The players

Sean Duffy

The U.S. Transportation Secretary who posted details about the ground stop and equipment outage.

Potomac TRACON

The air traffic control facility coordinating flights in the Washington, D.C. area that is experiencing a strong odor issue.

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What they’re saying

“Three airports in the Washington, D.C., area are under a ground stop due to an equipment outage.”

— Sean Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary

What’s next

The FAA is continuing to investigate the cause of the equipment outage and strong odor at the Potomac TRACON facility. Once the issue is resolved, the ground stop at the affected airports is expected to be lifted.

The takeaway

This ground stop at major DC-area airports highlights the critical importance of reliable air traffic control infrastructure and the potential for disruptions when equipment issues arise. It underscores the need for robust contingency planning and backup systems to ensure the continued safe and efficient operation of the nation's air transportation network.