Enroute controllers; a Developmental and his/her Instructor; described an emergency event when all the technical rules of handling emergency aircraft were not completed.
Synopsis
Enroute controllers; a Developmental and his/her Instructor; described an emergency event when all the technical rules of handling emergency aircraft were not completed.
Narrative
Aircraft X was enroute at 150. The Pilot came up on frequency and stated he had some electrical problems and needed to get to an airport with an ILS approach. At this time it was not an emergency. I suggested ZZZ1; and the Pilot decided he'd rather go to ZZZ2. I cleared him direct ZZZ2 and descended to 9000. He asked for the weather at ZZZ2; but I was busy trying to get ORD arrivals descended and sequenced; and didn't read the weather to him. He asked for the weather again; I read it; he then decided he wouldn't be able to land at ZZZ2 either and declared an emergency and turned to a 270 heading for ZZZ3. I stopped his descent at 110 and cleared him direct ZZZ3. The aircraft went NORDO multiple times while in the sector; and also lost the transponder. Proper coordination was done between the next sector and the D-Side. The pilot told us that he didn't know how much longer he was going to be on frequency because of the electrical issue. I gave him the frequency for the next sector; so that he could contact Center again when able. A few minutes later we were informed that the aircraft was on the next frequency. After the emergency was declared I failed to follow the emergency checklist. The Supervisor On Duty was notified immediately of the situation. Recommendation; I should have followed the emergency checklist. Also; I could have suggested a closer to airport the aircraft's proximity. There were two other options.
Second reporter narrative
I was conducting OJTI (on job training) at the time of the event. Aircraft X was filed @ 15000; he said that he was having a little bit of an electrical problem and was looking to divert (no emergency was declared at this time and did not request special handling). My Trainee suggested ZZZ1. The Pilot suggested ZZZ2 and requested the weather. My Trainee cleared Aircraft X to ZZZ2 and descended him to 9000; but did not get the weather information to him until the 2nd request; due to sequencing for ORD (he did bring up the weather at ZZZ2 the first time Aircraft X requested it; just never issued it). Aircraft X changed his mind about ZZZ2 because of conditions at ZZZ2 and wanted to go to a 270 heading. My Trainee stopped Aircraft X at 11000 and turned him to a 270 heading. About this time Aircraft X declared an emergency and requested the weather at ZZZ3. My Trainee got the weather for ZZZ3 and gave it to him and Aircraft X requested to divert to ZZZ3. Aircraft X was then cleared to ZZZ3. Aircraft X lost his transponder and also his radios were in and out of operation. We made all of the coordination to the other sectors and transfered radio communication to the next sector. Aircraft X never read the frequency back; however we called the next sector to make sure he got to the their frequency. Recommendation; I was letting my Trainee handle the situation on his own because he is close to completing his training. I should have instructed my Trainee a little better on how to handle the emergency. We never got the passengers on board or the fuel remaining in time. I also think that maybe we could have suggested a closer airport.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.