General aviation pilot reported there was no response from PCT TRACON and changed frequencies to JYO Tower to avoid penetration into controlled airspace. The reporter stated there is a problem at low altitudes with several of the TRACON frequencies in the vicinity.

Date: 2025-09 · Aircraft: Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear · Phase: cruise

Anomalies: atc-issue-all-types|airspace-violation-all-types|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy

Synopsis

General aviation pilot reported there was no response from PCT TRACON and changed frequencies to JYO Tower to avoid penetration into controlled airspace. The reporter stated there is a problem at low altitudes with several of the TRACON frequencies in the vicinity.

Narrative

I operated a personal flight from ZZZ to JYO under a SFRA flight plan from XA:06 to XA:19. After establishing contact with Potomac TRACON I proceeded direct to JYO at 1;400 so as to remain out of the Class B airspace; as instructed and in compliance with the SFRA flight rules for this area. As I approached JYO; I tried four (4) times to contact Potomac for a handoff to the JYO Tower. No response from Potomac. Realizing I was about to penetrate the controlled airspace at JYO; I changed frequencies and contacted the JYO Tower and was cleared to land. At issue here is the communications failure with Potomac TRACON when filing and flying under an SFRA flight plan in the Northern Virginia; Washington DC area. There seems to be a problem with several of the TRACON frequencies at low altitudes north of Dulles Airport (IAD).I did all I could do to request a frequency change from Potomac TRACON; but ultimately exercised pilot-in-command authority to safely end the flight at JYO by obtaining clearance to land from the JYO Tower.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.