Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Time Pressure; Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Situational Awareness; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Speed All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Separated Traffic
Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Procedure
This is a new type of safety issue for me; but I felt compelled to report it to have more eyes review the information. I had Aircraft X; a VFR; call up for flight following from within my area. The pilot had a strong accent; and that along with what I suspect was the quality of his radio made it very hard for me to understand his transmissions. I also had some distraction from within the TRACON itself; which I will describe in a moment. It probably took me over 10 transmissions to get Aircraft X pilot's intentions; and successfully get him processed for flight following. He had also requested an IFR clearance; but after I informed him his requested altitude of 020 was likely to cause issues with MVA's and the subsequent Center sector; he elected to maintain VFR with flight following. There were multiple SIGMETs from all over Texas; and the weather at ZZZ was IFR; information I gave the pilot. I had Aircraft Y being vectored for an RNAV Runway XX Approach at ZZZ; followed by Aircraft Z; on the same approach from the west via the IAF of ZZZZZ. The following Aircraft Z seemed likely to catch Aircraft Y; so I began speed instructions for both aircraft. I was certain that Aircraft X was likely to encounter weather difficulty; possibly becoming an emergency. I instructed him to remain clear of ZZZ Class Delta; but due to TRACON distractions; I missed the read back. A controller plugged in behind me and started observing; in preparation to relieve my position. I told him I had an issue to work out with these two aircraft on final; and preferred him to wait a moment for me to handle it. He did. It took a considerable amount of work for me to end up sequencing the two aircraft; and I was having some issues getting them on the speed restrictions I was intending. I also had coordination to do with ZZZ1 Approach for a point out on Aircraft Y; and subsequently for the following Aircraft Z as well. [Relieving Controller] began to get pushy about doing the relief briefing; so when I thought I had everything reasonably handled I pushed the button and began the briefing. As I was doing the briefing; which was going to take a while considering the information I felt compelled to give him concerning the VFR aircraft in weather difficulty; and the two RNAV aircraft requiring close attention; I realized the speed I had issued appeared to not be enough to maintain required separation later on final. I stopped the briefing; and reissued new speed restrictions to both aircraft. As I was doing this; [the relieving controller] got impatient with the amount of time it was taking to complete the briefing and started becoming borderline belligerent with me because of it. He insulted my controlling; and cursed many times at me. His comments said things like; 'Are we going to get this briefing done; I've been here for six or seven [Expletive] minutes'; 'You only have four [Expletive] aircraft'; and 'Don't touch my [Expletive] headset'. He made other comments as well; some of which I didn't catch because I was still attempting to listen to; work; and adjust my seemingly imminent loss of separation on final. During this argument with him; I unplugged him; and asked him to leave and find the supervisor. I also missed a key read back and made a mistake; I found later when listening to the tapes. I missed the read back of Aircraft X when I instructed him to remain outside of ZZZ Delta; and I forgot to reissue a speed restriction to Aircraft Y when clearing him for the approach. That speed restriction was something I needed with the following Aircraft Z still faster; and Aircraft Y subsequently turned onto final and slowed down considerably. I am confident that had I not been constantly insulted and distracted in the TRACON; I would have not made this mistake. I saw the separation would not be maintained on final; and cancelled the approach clearance of the Aircraft Z; vectored him across final; and then gave him a hard turn back to get him on the approach. He was in IMC conditions. At no time did I lose separation. I'm not really sure what to expect of this report; and I have informed my ATM of everything that happened. I am certain the issue will be addressed. What does concern me; however; is that management seemed to be more concerned with the verbal abuse of me; and less concerned with the safety situation it caused for me while trying to run my sector. I am not worried about the personal confrontation so much; as the fact that it was causing an unsafe situation on my sector. I really do not have any idea what to suggest for this one. I honestly feel this is well above my position pay grade.
TRACON Controller reported an unsafe operation along with pressure induced by a relieving controller.