Fire Set at Aurora FAA Radar Center Deliberately Set, Causing hundreds of Delayed and Canceled Flights

Fire Set at Aurora FAA Radar Center Deliberately Set, Causing hundreds of Delayed and Canceled Flights

Police say the fire was set by a contract employee and they do not consider it an act of terrorism

Fire Set at Aurora FAA Radar Center Deliberately Set, Causing hundreds of Delayed and Canceled FlightsA fire was set at an FAA radar center in Aurora, Illinois that grounded hundreds of Chicago flights. Police are sure in saying it is not a terrorist attack, and is instead an incident with a local contract employee.

The employee was found in the basement of the radar facility with self-inflicted wounds. The radar center was shut down and evacuated as the employee was taken to a hospital.

This activity caused a groundstop order halting all flights in and out of O’Hare and Midway airports. At 10 a.m., more than 700 flights were canceled and nearly 600 were delayed. The FAA halted all planes that were scheduled to cross the Midwest until 11 a.m. Passengers whose flights were canceled will be put on wait lists for later flights.

Emergency crews were called to the fire around 5:40 a.m., where they found a man with self-inflicted non-gunshot wounds. According to the FAA, the man is not an air traffic controller or manager.

Due to the fire, radio frequencies went dead and the air traffic control system immediately shifted to back-up equipment. Controllers at this center direct planes through the airspace and either hand off the air traffic to other similar facilities or direct the planes to terminal radar facilities, which direct planes to and from airport towers.

About the Author

Matt Holden is an Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media, Inc. He received his MFA and BA in journalism from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. He currently writes and edits for Occupational Health & Safety magazine, and Security Today.

Featured

  • Unlocking the Possibilities

    Security needs continue to evolve and end users are under pressure to address emerging risks and safety concerns. For many, that focus starts with upgrading perimeter openings and layering technologies—beginning at the door. Read Now

  • Freedom of Choice

    In today's security landscape, we are witnessing a fundamental transformation in how organizations manage digital evidence. Law enforcement agencies, campus security teams, and large facility operators face increasingly complex challenges with expanding video data, tightening budget constraints and inflexible systems that limit innovation. Read Now

  • Accelerating a Pathway

    There is a new trend touting the transformational qualities of AI’s ability to deliver actionable data and predictive analysis that in many instances, seems to be a bit of an overpromise. The reality is that very few solutions in the cyber-physical security (CPS) space live up to this high expectation with the one exception being the new generation of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) software – herein recategorized as PIAM+. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

New Products

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities