Ground stop issued for all 3 DC-area airports due to 'equipment outage'

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a ground stop for all flights out of D.C.'s major airports. The FAA's website indicates Reagan National Airport, Dulles International Airport and Baltimore/Washington International Airport are all experiencing an "equipment outage." The FAA has clarified that the stops are due to a "strong chemical smell" impacting the local air traffic control facility. The ground stop was issued Friday afternoon and appears to be in effect until at least 7 p.m. The FAA issued a statement Friday afternoon. They say the ground stop is due to a strong chemical smell at the Potomac TRACON. "The FAA has temporarily stopped traffic at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) because of a strong chemical smell at the Potomac TRACON that is impacting some air traffic controllers. Monitor fly.faa.gov for real-time updates," The statement reads. According to the FAA, the Potomac Consolidated Terminal RADAR Approach Control (TRACON) PCT provides air traffic control service to the Baltimore-Washington and the Richmond-Charlottesville areas. They control the airspace over Joint Base Andrews, BWI, Reagan, Dulles, Richmond and many other area airports. The facility is located in Warrenton, Virginia.