ZAB Controller described an airspace incursion event when failing to properly identify an IFR departure that was experiencing transponder problems.
Synopsis
ZAB Controller described an airspace incursion event when failing to properly identify an IFR departure that was experiencing transponder problems.
Narrative
I sat down and received a briefing from the R-Side on D45 at which time the Controller mentioned that a PA28 was cleared off of FLG and was not RADAR identified yet. As soon as the briefing was over the R-Side asked the pilot his altitude and his beacon code; pilot said he was on the right beacon code we still did not have him in RADAR so we told the pilot we would get him in RADAR soon. After this; I was on and off line with other coordination for the next 20 or 30 minutes. About 45 minutes after the conversation with the pilot; an airplane asked if we wanted him to talk to PHX Approach. We could not hear his full call sign and when the R-Side asked was the pilot was he was 30 miles north of PXR so we asked him to contact PHX Approach. Since he was in their airspace; I then found out that the airplane was the PA28 which we never RADAR identified or shipped to PHX Approach. I believe what would have helped in this situation was if we were able to get the pilot in RADAR coverage and if we were able to hear the aircraft.
Second reporter narrative
[I] released the PA28 off of FLG. The aircraft checked on and not on RADAR yet. Advised aircraft that I would pick him up on RADAR the further south and higher he got. Then I got busy and never identified the aircraft. The aircraft called back about forty minutes later inside of PHX airspace. I tried to find out who he was; then did find a Flight Plan and shipped to PHX. What led to the event was not putting up a Data Block on my end. On the aircraft side not sure what happened there; I never saw a transponder code; or why the aircraft waited so long to say something when he knew he was not RADAR identified. I need to always start a Data Block on any departures from any airport.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.