Narrative:

Aircraft X was filed ZZZ to ZZZ1 via direct ZZZ2. Aircraft X departed ZZZ; overflew ZZZ3 and was headed direct ZZZ2. Approx 5 miles south of ZZZ3 aircraft X asked for a vector for terrain avoidance. Aircraft X was below 8;000 feet in an 110 MEA (minimum enroute altitude) area and was asked if he could do the departure procedure. When he didn't respond I tried another transmitter and advised him that I was legally unable to vector him at that altitude and suggested a west heading if able. He then requested direct to a fix and was told departure procedure his discretion; cleared direct destination leaving 11;000 feet. Remind pilots to familiarize themselves with terrain and departure procedures before departing IFR at an unfamiliar airport.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Center Controller reported an IFR departure did not use the published departure procedure and was below the Minimum Enroute Altitude.

Narrative: Aircraft X was filed ZZZ to ZZZ1 via direct ZZZ2. Aircraft X departed ZZZ; overflew ZZZ3 and was headed direct ZZZ2. Approx 5 miles south of ZZZ3 Aircraft X asked for a vector for terrain avoidance. Aircraft X was below 8;000 feet in an 110 MEA (Minimum Enroute Altitude) area and was asked if he could do the departure procedure. When he didn't respond I tried another transmitter and advised him that I was legally unable to vector him at that altitude and suggested a west heading if able. He then requested direct to a fix and was told departure procedure his discretion; cleared direct destination leaving 11;000 feet. Remind pilots to familiarize themselves with terrain and departure procedures before departing IFR at an unfamiliar airport.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.