Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Other / Unknown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft; Procedure
Aircraft departed IFR with a coordinated right turn in VFR conditions (normal procedure is to climb runway heading until out of 4;100 FT MSL). Aircraft was approximately 2 NM east of the airport at approximately 3;800 FT MSL; and reported a major electrical failure. He advised he needed to return to the airport. I asked if he was declaring an emergency; to which he responded; 'No.' Since the aircraft needed vectors to pattern entry; and was below the MVA; I advised the FLM that I was declaring an emergency for the pilot so that I could provide him with the services he needed. Emergency equipment was not called; as it was not required.
Tower Controller declared an emergency for an aircraft with an electrical failure returning to the airport below the MVA.