DC Air Traffic Control Disruption Repeats Major operational disruption struck Washington DC-area airports Friday evening when a strong smell at the Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control center forced the FAA to halt flights at Reagan National, Dulles, BWI, and other regional airports.

DC Air Traffic Control Disruption Repeats Major operational disruption struck Washington DC-area airports Friday evening when a strong smell at the Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control center forced the FAA to halt flights at Reagan National, Dulles, BWI, and other regional airports. This marks the second such incident in two weeks, raising serious concerns about infrastructure reliability at one of the nation's busiest air traffic hubs. Ground stops remained in effect until approximately 8 p.m. ET, with continued delays reported afterward. The March 13 incident was attributed to an overheated circuit board that was subsequently replaced, yet the recurrence suggests potential systemic issues requiring immediate investigation and remediation to prevent further disruptions to regional air travel and commerce.