A TRACON Controller reported they issued a clearance to an aircraft that caused it to fly below the Minimum Vectoring Altitude.

Date: 2024-03 · Aircraft: B717 (Formerly MD-95) · Phase: approach

Anomalies: atc-issue-all-types|deviation-discrepancy-procedural-published-material-policy|inflight-event-encounter-cftt-cfit

Synopsis

A TRACON Controller reported they issued a clearance to an aircraft that caused it to fly below the Minimum Vectoring Altitude.

Narrative

I had 3 aircraft inbound in line from the northeast fix and Aircraft X was the 3rd aircraft in that line. I had told all 3 to expect the RNAV-Z RWY XX initially. I then received an aircraft from the southwestern fix which was Aircraft Y. I had initially planned for Aircraft Z to be number four to the airport but because Aircraft Z was high and fast; and there was major compression on final because of the strong winds; I had changed plans and decided to make Aircraft Z number three behind a heavy aircraft and I told Aircraft X to now expect the ILS-Z RWY XX which would cause it to fly a longer downwind and provide for a more natural sequence. As I monitored the way things were playing out; I cleared Aircraft Y for their visual approach and then after a little more monitoring and I cleared Aircraft X for their approach. In my mind I thought I had cleared Aircraft X for the ILS-Z RWY XX because I clearly remember looking at the scratch pad data and looking at the approach plate name as I was speaking but after reviewing the tape; I had actually cleared Aircraft X for the RNAV-Z RWY XX. After issuing both approach clearances; I continued to monitor their progress and noticed that Aircraft X is turning in towards the airport in front of Aircraft Y. I knew that Aircraft X was below the MVA but I took that risk of issuing Aircraft X a vector for the sake of prying the 2 aircraft apart. I issued traffic in the hopes that I could get Visual Separation. Aircraft X did eventually get Aircraft Y in sight but only after I lost lateral separation between the two.Suggestion: I am dealing with a personal situation. When I notified management of my family situation; they gave me the option to use the leave that I have and/or LWOP (leave without pay). I had asked if there was an option to use advanced leave but they told me that my situation did not qualify for it. No offer was extended to place me on some kind of light duty function. I returned to work after I had used all of my 4 days worth of leave. I recognized that I was not in the frame of mind to work busy traffic so I asked some of my peers and the Supervisors on duty to help me and keep me away from busy traffic. I recommend that more should be offered to those members dealing with family situations. Something more than LWOP.

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