2025-01 · NASA ASRS report 2199321
A TRACON Controller reported an aircraft experiencing icing could not maintain altitude and descended below the Minimum Vectoring Altitude.
Aircraft X was originally a point out from ZZZ [ARTCC] ZZZZZ sector I observed this aircraft struggle to maintain altitude and airspeed with ZZZZZ. ZZZZZ called for a handoff saying aircraft is experiencing icing and struggling to maintain altitude and is diverting to ZZZ. Aircraft check on and immediately tried to get him lower and a vector south which had the lowest terrain on my terrain map. The aircraft said he lost pitot readouts and had icing couldn't maintain altitude and didn't know current airspeed. I notified the supervisor (Sup) in the room of the situation. The aircraft proceeded below the MVA a low alt alert was issued and and airspeed issued via my radar. during this time another sup was in the room and it became hard to focus on this aircraft. I had 2 sups and 2 controllers all trying to tell me what to do from no gyro vectoring to sending to multiple different airports. I gave the aircraft multiple airport options they informed me that they wanted the one that had the largest runway which was ZZZ. I gave recommended headings to the lowest terrain. The aircraft got contact with the ground and was able to maintain level flight at that point. The icing was improving and they gained some instruments back. I [gave priority handling] on the aircraft and got souls and fuel remaining. The aircraft requested an ILS for runway XX ZZZ. The aircraft was vectored for an approach and started losing instruments again. They reported field in sight and requested to go in visually and remain on my freq until landed. The aircraft landed with no issues.During this event; there were 2 sups in the radar room and a handoff with trainee. Neither sups new of the situation until called over. The main recommendation is there were to many chefs in the kitchen. I was being told what to do by 4 different controllers/sups contently of different opinions on what to do and told to do things that were already done. This was extremely distracting in this. Also during this I had departures come down without strips. I asked my handoff where was the strip. They said we don't know and I had to call for it. With 4 controllers this situation would have been better handled with 2 people total; way to many chefs with opinions without actual help.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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