TRACON controller with the approval of a supervisor; declared an emergency for a VFR aircraft reques...

Narrative:

I was radar controller. Class C tower called to hand off the C172 who was unable to navigate to the class D airport in VFR; and was requesting assistance. The weather at both the class D and class C had deteriorated rapidly in the prior 10 minutes. I inquired as to if the pilot was IFR rated; to which he replied 'negative.' he had requested a special VFR into class D. SVFR is not permitted after sunset unless the pilot is IFR rated. I suggested the class C airport as an alternative; as they were reporting VFR conditions. The pilot proceeded towards the class C but the encountered clouds blocking his path; and turned away stating he wanted to go to a nearby class east. He then said he could not see the class east airport but could see the class D. I contacted the class D to see if they had perhaps improved to basic VFR minimums; but the class D controller stated they were still IFR. I advised the pilot to maintain VFR; and confirmed he had the terrain in site. He said he had the class D in site; and after discussion with my flm; we determined that this was an emergency; and the safest course of action would be to have the pilot land as soon as practical at the class D. The aircraft landed safely. Specific training on when it is ok to deviate from far's for an aircraft in distress.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: TRACON Controller with the approval of a supervisor; declared an emergency for a VFR aircraft requesting a SVFR clearance into an airport that was IFR; after official sunset.

Narrative: I was RADAR Controller. Class C Tower called to hand off the C172 who was unable to navigate to the Class D airport in VFR; and was requesting assistance. The weather at both the Class D and Class C had deteriorated rapidly in the prior 10 minutes. I inquired as to if the pilot was IFR rated; to which he replied 'negative.' he had requested a special VFR into Class D. SVFR is not permitted after sunset unless the pilot is IFR rated. I suggested the Class C airport as an alternative; as they were reporting VFR conditions. The pilot proceeded towards the Class C but the encountered clouds blocking his path; and turned away stating he wanted to go to a nearby Class E. He then said he could not see the Class E airport but could see the Class D. I contacted the Class D to see if they had perhaps improved to basic VFR minimums; but the Class D Controller stated they were still IFR. I advised the pilot to maintain VFR; and confirmed he had the terrain in site. He said he had the Class D in site; and after discussion with my FLM; we determined that this was an emergency; and the safest course of action would be to have the pilot land as soon as practical at the Class D. The aircraft landed safely. Specific training on when it is OK to deviate from FAR's for an aircraft in distress.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 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.

Attributes
ACN	991308
Time
Date	201201
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	Marginal
Light	Night
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Descent
Person 1
Function	Approach Departure
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Person 2
Function	Supervisor / CIC
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence

TRACON controller with the approval of a supervisor; declared an emergency for a VFR aircraft requesting a SVFR clearance into an airport that was IFR; after official sunset.