DC Airports Resume After Control Facility Response
Overheated battery at Virginia control facility forced temporary ground stop at three airports
DC Airport Flights Halted After Odor at Control Facility
Flights at three major D.C.-area airports were temporarily grounded Friday evening after a strong odor prompted evacuation of a key air traffic control facility. The Federal Aviation Administration stopped traffic at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, as well as smaller regional airports. The ground stop was lifted around 7:30 p.m. Friday after Fauquier County officials responded to the Potomac TRACON facility at around 6:50 p.m.
Second Incident in Less Than a Month
This marks the second time in less than a month that the Potomac Consolidated Terminal Radar Approach Control facility in Warrenton, Virginia, has been evacuated due to equipment issues. The TRACON facility manages a large portion of the region's airspace, making any disruption there immediately felt across multiple airports. On March 13, faulty equipment being worked on by a contractor caused a similar strong odor that prompted evacuation of the same facility. That earlier incident also led to ground stops at DCA, IAD, and BWI, causing significant delays and stranding passengers throughout the region.
Overheated Battery Caused Latest Disruption
The disruption was caused by an overheated battery inside an IT cabinet at the TRACON facility, according to the FAA. No injuries were reported at the facility during the evacuation. The incident triggered ground stops with flights delayed or held for extended periods across the affected airports, though officials didn't immediately release specific numbers on how many flights were impacted. The FAA stopped traffic not only at the three major airports but also at smaller facilities in Charlottesville and Richmond.
Ground Stop Lifted After 40 Minutes
Fauquier County officials responded to the facility around 6:50 p.m. Friday and determined the source of the odor. The ground stop was lifted approximately 40 minutes later, around 7:30 p.m., allowing normal operations to resume. Officials didn't provide details on how long it took for flight schedules to return to normal after the ground stop ended. The quick response helped minimize the disruption compared to the March 13 incident, though specific delay times weren't immediately available.
Travelers Face Compounding Delays
The incident comes as travelers are already facing long lines and delays due to an ongoing partial government shutdown, which has left thousands of TSA workers without pay. The combination of staffing challenges and the ground stop created additional frustration for passengers trying to travel through the region's airports. Travelers can check Moovit for real-time updates on ground transportation options to and from affected airports, including Metro rail connections to Reagan National and bus services to Dulles and BWI.
