Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 1.5
Situational Awareness; Time Pressure
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Procedure; Aircraft; Human Factors
Aircraft X departed and checked in with approach climbing to 5;000 feet. Aircraft X was radar identified but I was unable to pick up his Mode C right away. When I did pick up his Mode C it was reading between 1;800 feet to 2;000 feet. I immediately advised him of his altitude and told him the MVA was 4;900 feet. A moment later he [notified] his cargo door opening. I asked him if he needed any assistance and to advise having airport in sight. He was having a hard time communicating with me due to his low altitude so he was cutting in and out. He did get airport in sight and I terminated his radar and switched him over to Flight Service Station (FSS). I called FSS airport to verify that he did make it safely on the ground.It all happened so quickly that my main thought was to help him get on the ground as quickly and safely as possible that I had forgotten to re-clear him to the airport and issue a Visual Approach clearance. For future reference; I will remember to reclear aircraft and issue his approach clearance.
CKB Controller reported an aircraft returned to the airport due to an opened cargo door. The Controller forgot to issue an approach clearance back to the airport.