Cessna Aircraft Undifferentiated or Other Model
Air Traffic Control Developmental
Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Procedure; Airspace Structure; Human Factors
Aircraft X checked on north of EUG airspace after accepting the handoff; I did not notice that he was handed off to me below the MEA level at 5;000 on V287. ZSE failed to climb the aircraft prior to CRAFF intersection where the MEA is at 6;000 at the boundary of our airspace. Since I wasn't aware that the aircraft was too low I allowed Aircraft X to continue on his route of flight until I noticed he had flown through a 5;300 MVA at which point I issued a climb to 7;000 and Aircraft X responded by saying he was VFR On Top (OTP) at 5;000 and was requesting a VFR OTP clearance which I then issued.Even though Aircraft X was at the correct altitude for the airway north of EUG airspace there is a 5;700 MVA less than 2 miles west of V287; if Aircraft X had drifted west even staying within the 4 mile lateral confines of the airway he could potentially drift into the higher MVA.I recommend that the EUG/ZSE LOA be changed to enforce a climb to at least the MEA prior to handing the traffic off to EUG Approach. EUG does not have control for climbs outside of our airspace; therefore if the handoff is accepted late or the receiving controller is busy and misses the altitude they would have very little time to react and request control for a climb outside of our airspace.
Aircraft X was handed off from ZSE Sector 6 on V287; the MEA on this airway is 6;000 starting at CRAFF intersection. CRAFF is right on the boundary between EUG and ZSE Sector 6. Approximately 10 southwest of the CVO airport is a MVA of 5;300; this is where I noticed the aircraft was at 5;000. Aircraft was given a climb to 7;000; however piloted opted to go VFR On TOP (OTP).As stated above the MEA on this airway is 6;000 and that starts at the CRAFF intersection; which sits right on the boundary between EUG and ZSE Sector 6. In addition tested the limits of the airway with a 5;700 MVA that sits to the right of CRAFF. The pilot was directly on the airway; however had he flown in a westerly direction in the lateral confines of the airway they would have been in the 5;700 MVA. Suggest the LOA be changed to read any aircraft on V287 southbound be at 7;000 or higher.
EUG Controllers reported unknowingly accepting a handoff on an aircraft which was 1;000 feet below the Minimum Enroute Altitude until it was pointed out by the Supervisor.