Federal officials are investigating whether a faulty router in Arkansas caused a nationwide flight ground stop in Texas on November 13, 2026. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that contractor L3Harris Technologies was involved in routine maintenance at FAA communications facilities. Investigators are examining whether a faulty router or human error led to the disruption.
The FAA suspended all departures and arrivals across the U.S. For over 24 hours, affecting more than 3,500 flights. Airlines reported significant delays and cancellations, with some passengers stranded at airports in Texas. The ground stop was the third such event in the past century, according to FAA officials.
The incident has raised concerns about the aging infrastructure of the FAA’s communication systems. Reports indicate that outdated equipment, including floppy disks, was still in use for air traffic control. Despite efforts to modernize, the system remains vulnerable to technical failures. The FAA has not yet confirmed whether the router issue is connected to the recent upgrade of its artificial intelligence systems.
The ground stop was partially resolved by late Saturday, with flights resuming gradually. However, delays and cancellations continued. Officials warned that full normalcy would not be restored until Monday. The investigation into the cause of the disruption is ongoing.
