A strong chemical odor reported at a key Federal Aviation Administration facility in Virginia led to a ground stop and significant flight delays along the East Coast on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The incident affected the FAA's Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center in Leesburg, Virginia, which handles high-altitude air traffic for a large region.
The FAA confirmed the ground stop was implemented for traffic destined for Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) and other airports as a safety precaution. The stop, which lasted for several hours, was lifted after the situation was addressed. Emergency responders, including hazmat teams, were dispatched to the Leesburg facility to investigate the source of the odor.
While the specific cause of the chemical smell was not immediately released, officials stated no injuries were reported. The incident caused a ripple effect of delays and cancellations for travelers. The FAA stated that normal operations resumed following the all-clear from emergency personnel.
