# FAA issues nationwide ground stop due to "extraordinary circumstances" (for discussion, not breaking news) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 13, 2026, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989 "2026-11-13T21:41:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_stamos_left_ear/32/3198_2.png) [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/1 "2026-11-13T21:41:57Z")
> **[FAA issues nationwide ground stop due to "extraordinary circumstances"](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop/)** > > The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday issued a rare nationwide ground stop on all departing flights, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said. This is only the second time since 9-11 that this has happened, and the explanation of “extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety” does not instill me with confidence that this is not something really, really bad. That said, I want to stay away from a lot of places online with conspiracy theorists going insane. Maybe this thread can be a repository for actual factual information about this. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/2 "2026-11-13T21:43:05Z")
We can merge this in with the other two threads that have already been merged together (mine being one of them) > [@Breaking news - FAA orders aviation stop at all airports, Nov 13, 2026](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-faa-orders-aviation-stop-at-all-airports-nov-13-2026/1034984): > > [FAA issues nationwide ground stop](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/11/13/faa-ground-stop.html) It’s hard not to think “something was hacked”, but really scary if so. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a nationwide ground stop on Friday afternoon, “due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety.” A ground stop halts flights at their departure point. Inbound international flights will be managed on a case by case basis, the FAA said. The FAA didn’t immediately comment further. Nationwide ground stops are extremely rare. In Janua… ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/3 "2026-11-13T21:43:25Z")
We already have two such threads. This is the seniormost thread: > [@Breaking news - FAA orders aviation stop at all airports, Nov 13, 2026](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/breaking-news-faa-orders-aviation-stop-at-all-airports-nov-13-2026/1034984): > > [FAA issues nationwide ground stop](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/11/13/faa-ground-stop.html) It’s hard not to think “something was hacked”, but really scary if so. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a nationwide ground stop on Friday afternoon, “due to extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety.” A ground stop halts flights at their departure point. Inbound international flights will be managed on a case by case basis, the FAA said. The FAA didn’t immediately comment further. Nationwide ground stops are extremely rare. In Janua… ETA: ninjaed by @Joey_P ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/4 "2026-11-13T21:43:43Z")
> [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](#): > > “extraordinary circumstances and for reasons of safety” does not instill me with confidence that this is not something really, really bad. Some of the articles I read are saying, according to the FAA, it’s a communications issue. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/5 "2026-11-13T21:48:07Z")
Moderating: It’s ok for us to have 2 threads covering the same event. Breaking News threads in MPSIMS should be reserved for actual developments in the situation. Other discussion can take place here. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/6 "2026-11-13T21:52:42Z")
“until further notice” bothers me. I hope they get it figured out. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/7 "2026-11-13T21:53:22Z")
msnow has the flight map for the us up. the skies are getting empty. air route control centers are being mentioned as the reason. it is a very old system. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/8 "2026-11-13T22:05:11Z")
Did anyone else notice that this happened on Friday the 13th? ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/9 "2026-11-13T22:06:35Z")
The notification lists “Event Time” as from 2053Z to 0400Z. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/10 "2026-11-13T22:17:49Z")
NBC has said that it’s an enroute problem. They suggested it was for the high altitude ARTCCs are not able to communicate with the planes, but local towers are able to communicate. They showed BWI in Baltimore and almost all of the gates are full. Would not be fun to have to sit and not be able to get off the plane. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@Mark\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/11 "2026-11-13T22:23:27Z")
Looking at Flightaware - it appears that incoming flights are landing at their intended destinations. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/12 "2026-11-13T22:25:43Z")
That’s what the press conference with the Head of Homeland Security just said, planes can land at their scheduled destination, they just can’t take off. It’s not like 9/11 where they all had to land _anywhere_. Well, until those destinations reach capacity and then incoming flights will _have_ to go somewhere else. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/13 "2026-11-13T22:27:16Z")
If it had happened in Spain the ominous date would have been Tuesday the 13th, not Friday. By which I mean to say that numerology is irrelevant for this event. For any event, actually. ---
**Author:** ![3AxisCtrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/ecd19e/32.png) [@3AxisCtrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3AxisCtrl)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/14 "2026-11-13T22:30:30Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > … planes can land at their scheduled destination, they just can’t take off. Should make for some interesting taxiway gridlock. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/15 "2026-11-13T22:31:29Z")
“No te cases ni te embarques” (Do not marry nor start a sea voyage) on a Tuesday the 13th is the usual adage, if translate “embarque” as “embarking” it could count as “getting on an airplane” and be eerely prescient. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/16 "2026-11-13T22:32:02Z")
Maybe connected, maybe not, but the National Weather Service is reporting widespread outages as well. > **[National Weather Service reports nationwide radar website outage amid FAA...](https://www.news9.com/oklahoma-city-news/national-weather-service-reports-nationwide-radar-website-outage)** > > The National Weather Service says nationwide internet and communication issues are affecting access to its forecasts and weather products as technicians work to restore service. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/17 "2026-11-13T22:33:27Z")
All right, now I’m getting nervous. Especially after that Microsoft outage yesterday. I think I still have post-911 jitters. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/18 "2026-11-13T22:35:14Z")
There was a report that a flight to Europe out of Boston was allowed to leave. The aviation expert they had on suggested that was because going to Europe they don’t get in to the High ARTCC system. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/19 "2026-11-13T22:38:33Z")
To be precise: the ominous day in Spain is Tuesday the 13th. The adage is _en martes, ni te cases ni te embarques_, no mention of the 13th. Martes (tuesday) is the day of Mars, the god of war and bad things. Friday is the day of Venus (viernes). Can be bad too, but for different reasons - for a wide definition of reason. And the boarding gate in an airport is called _puerta de embarque_, so yes, embarking covers boarding a plane. Still bullshit. Irrelevant to whatever is happening. Which is probably not good at all. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2026, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989/20 "2026-11-13T22:43:08Z")
At least in some parts of Buenos Aires the “no te cases” adage has acquired the “13th” part too, cite: I heard it that way. > [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Still bullshit. Irrelevant to whatever is happening. Which is probably not good at all. Oh for sure, I hope nobody seriously thinks the date has anything to do with it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/faa-issues-nationwide-ground-stop-due-to-extraordinary-circumstances-for-discussion-not-breaking-news/1034989.md?page=2)