EMB ERJ 145 ER/LR
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Conflict Airborne Conflict
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Aircraft; Procedure
The pilot of Air Carrier X broadcasted he was descending to FL290 because he 'heard a loud noise' and wanted to divert. At the time of broadcast I had just assumed the ZZZ airspace; and was in the process of syncing the combined sector frequencies and also evaluating a potential traffic situation. Because I was momentarily distracted I had to confirm what I thought I heard with the pilot of Air Carrier X. After confirmation; I immediately sent a Data Block to the next sector and called to coordinate. As I was coordinating; I was attempting to 'quick look' the next sector to assess any traffic situations. However; the sector was combined unbeknownst to me. I was frantically 'quick looking' every sector number I could think of at the time. I finally discovered the right sector. The pilot informed me he had to descend. I issued the traffic; opposite direction at FL320.' With the insistence of the pilot needing to descend; I then instructed Air Carrier X to descend rapidly through FL310 and maintain FL240. The pilot of Air Carrier X was able to maintain FL330 and then descended the aircraft to FL240 upon passing the FL320 traffic. I then asked Air Carrier X how he wanted to proceed; the pilot responded via RADAR vectors. I issued present heading and gave a frequency change. Although I have had numerous emergency scenarios in which the pilot is in need of an imminent descent; I have never been faced with one in such close proximity to conflicting traffic. What complicated this scenario is I had no communication with the conflicting aircraft (FL320); and poor communication with the Controller that had communication ability with the conflicting traffic.
Enroute Controller described an emergency descent event; coordinating separation efforts with adjacent sectors. The reporter never before experienced an emergency descent resulting in potential conflicts with several aircraft.