Potomac TRACON Evacuated Twice in Two Weeks Due to Overheating Equipment

Overheating electrical issues at key D.C. air traffic control facility disrupt flights across multiple airports

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:36am

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The Potomac TRACON, a critical air traffic control facility managing the airspace over Washington D.C., was evacuated twice in the span of two weeks due to overheating electrical equipment, leading to ground stops and hundreds of flight delays and cancellations at major airports in the region.

Why it matters

The repeated evacuations at Potomac TRACON highlight the aging infrastructure and staffing challenges facing the U.S. air traffic control system, which is already under strain from budget cuts and equipment issues. The disruptions to flights in the nation's capital airspace raise concerns about the resilience and reliability of the country's aviation network.

The details

In both incidents, on March 13 and March 27, 2026, the Potomac TRACON facility in Warrenton, Virginia was evacuated due to a strong chemical smell caused by overheating electrical components, such as a circuit board and a battery, inside IT cabinets. This triggered the FAA to declare 'ATC Zero', meaning the facility had completely ceased operations, leading to immediate ground stops at Reagan National, Dulles, BWI, Charlottesville, and Richmond airports. The ground stops lasted for over an hour, but the effects were felt for much longer, with hundreds of flights delayed or canceled across the affected airports.

  • On March 13, 2026, Potomac TRACON was evacuated due to a strong chemical smell, leading to over an hour of ground stops at several D.C. area airports.
  • On March 27, 2026, Potomac TRACON was evacuated again due to a similar issue with overheating electrical equipment, causing ground stops at five airports.

The players

Pete Muntean

CNN's aviation and transportation correspondent based in Washington D.C., who is also a licensed pilot and has become one of the sharpest eyes on aviation safety in the country.

Sean Duffy

The U.S. Transportation Secretary, who addressed the Potomac TRACON incidents on social media and confirmed the issues were caused by overheating electrical components.

Potomac TRACON

A critical air traffic control facility located in Warrenton, Virginia that manages approximately 20,000 square miles of airspace, including the airspace over the nation's capital.

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What they’re saying

“BREAKING: Potomac TRACON, the key radar facility handling D.C. airspace, has been evacuated to 'ATC ZERO' according to FAA alerts. The FAA is now implementing ground stops for flights to Reagan National, Dulles, BWI, Charlottesville and Richmond airports.”

— Pete Muntean, CNN Aviation and Transportation Correspondent

“Potomac TRACON was evacuated due to a 'strong smell,' per FAA statement. The second time the key D.C. area air traffic control facility has been evacuated in as many weeks.”

— Pete Muntean, CNN Aviation and Transportation Correspondent

What’s next

The FAA and transportation officials will likely continue to investigate the root causes of the repeated overheating issues at the Potomac TRACON facility and work to address the aging infrastructure and staffing challenges facing the broader U.S. air traffic control system.

The takeaway

The repeated evacuations of the Potomac TRACON, a critical air traffic control hub, due to overheating electrical equipment highlights the broader strain on the nation's aviation infrastructure. This incident underscores the need for increased investment and modernization of air traffic control facilities and systems to ensure the reliability and resilience of the U.S. air travel network.