March 13, 2026 — Warrenton, Virginia The FAA issued temporary ground stops at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), and Richmond International Airport (RIC) after a strong chemical odor was reported at the Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility. This incident, described across multiple reports as the FAA shutting down Reagan National, Dulles, and BWI airports due to chemical odor at Potomac TRACON, stemmed from faulty equipment and disrupted air traffic control operations.
The ground stops began in the afternoon, prompting widespread flight delays as controllers at the TRACON facility in Warrenton experienced the odor. FAA spokespeople attributed the issue to an overheated circuit board or building monitor that a contractor had been working on, according to WJLA/7News and Simple Flying. More than 30 air traffic controllers were evaluated for exposure, but none required hospitalization, as detailed by Network Axis Group.
Cause and Immediate Impact
Reports confirmed the chemical smell originated from equipment failure, not a spill. WMAR-2 News noted a faulty device at Potomac TRACON triggered the response, leading to the FAA shutting down Reagan National, Dulles, and BWI airports due to chemical odor at Potomac TRACON. CBS News Baltimore and Fox Business highlighted the ground stops affecting DC-area airports including RIC.
Passengers faced delays exceeding three hours even after restrictions eased, with advice to check FAA status or airline apps for updates.
Official Statements and Resolution
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy provided an update via X, stating:
Ground stop lifted. Firefighters on scene verified no danger to personnel. Odor was from an overheated/replaced circuit board at Potomac TRACON. Normal operations resuming.
The ground stops were lifted around 7:45 p.m. ET, as reported by ABC3340. Fox5DC’s Allison Papson echoed Duffy’s confirmation. This resolution addressed the FAA shutting down Reagan National, Dulles, and BWI airports due to chemical odor at Potomac TRACON, with WBAL-TV covering ongoing impacts at BWI.
Background on Potomac TRACON
The Potomac TRACON handles approaches for multiple Mid-Atlantic airports. No FAA press release was issued directly via FAA.gov, but consistent attributions came from FAA spokespeople in media reports. For related aviation news, see Aeronautics Online sitemap.
