ZDC Controllers reported an aircraft made a missed approach due to encountering severe turbulence; which resulted in momentary loss of aircraft control.
Synopsis
ZDC Controllers reported an aircraft made a missed approach due to encountering severe turbulence; which resulted in momentary loss of aircraft control.
Narrative
Aircraft X was doing a procedure turn at KENIR to do the ILS 20 approach into PGV. The weather from the previous controller; and myself; was called multiple times. Moderate to Severe precipitation was moving across the localizer. Aircraft X finished the procedure turn and was approaching final when I called the weather again. I told the pilot to stay with me until he felt safe to start his approach. Aircraft X said they were ready and I switched him to advisories. I began working my other traffic and calling the precipitation to other aircraft.Aircraft X called back out of five thousand two hundred feet; which is well above the published missed approach of one thousand six hundred. Aircraft X said they had to abort the landing and had to climb above the weather. Aircraft X declared severe turbulence with 700 ft loss and wind shear of +/- 40 knots. I climbed Aircraft X to 060. Aircraft X declared they wanted to return to ZZZ. I assigned a safe heading away from the weather and traffic and climbed them to FL200. I gave them their clearance to return to ZZZ with a deviation to get around the precipitation. I asked if they had any structural or injuries from the severe turbulence. They responded in the negative. Afterwards; I assume they discovered some structural damage and reported it to Atlanta Center.I do not think this event could have been avoided. All weather was called; the pilot wanted to attempt the approach. Once the wind shear was felt; the pilot correctly aborted the approach. All IFR traffic was separated and safe.
Second reporter narrative
Aircraft X checked in from sector 27 destined for PGV @ fl230. I informed the pilot of moderate through extreme precipitation along their route to the PGV airport. After a discussion about which approach they wanted; I issued a clearance direct to the initial approach fix with a pilot's discretion descent. The pilot informed me that they were unable to obtain ceiling information so I offered them the ceiling from the weather reports from either MCZ or ISO. the pilot opted for ZZZ1. I informed the OS (Operations Supervisor) that the weather report was missing from the PGV observation and he called it in to Maintenance. After clearing Aircraft X for the ILS 20; Aircraft X requested a left turn just prior to KENIR (the IAF) to continue their descent and I 'approved' the request. After approving the request; I gave a position relief briefing and left the control room. After getting back in to the control room and receiving a briefing for the CIC position; I was informed that Aircraft X encountered severe turbulence on their approach and returned to ZZZ. shortly thereafter; I was informed that Aircraft X reported damage to ZZZ Center.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.