Dash 8 Series Undifferentiated or Other Model
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 2
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Aircraft; Human Factors
I was working the R-side on sector. Aircraft X was enroute from SEA at FL250. Shortly after checking in; the pilot informed me that they were working on an avionics issue. The Supervisor was notified of a potential problem. A few minutes later; the pilot requested a vector to return to SEA. I gave the pilot a heading and then asked her if they were able to fly any routing or if they would need vectors all the way to SEA. At first; the pilot said they could accept the GLASR arrival; so I issued it. A few minutes later; the pilot said that they were requesting direct to an IAF for an approach into SEA and didn't want to fly the STAR. The D-side called sector to inquire what approach was in use at SEA and try to coordinate different routing. The [sector] controller was unable to provide any useful information. I then called the Supervisor over and asked them to work with the A area and SEA Approach; so that we get this aircraft priority handling and get them started toward an IAF. The only information that I was able to be supplied with that visual approaches were in use but no one could tell me the runway the aircraft could expect.Essentially; we provided no assistance to an aircraft in distress.This has been a common problem between the areas within the facility and Seattle Approach. There is a lack of communication between areas and facilities specifically when it comes to coordination for emergency aircraft. Supervisors should be able to have direct communication with other supervisors at nearby facilities to coordinate emergency aircraft. We have a problem of going through multiple people to get answers. It takes too long and the correct message is rarely conveyed. If phone numbers are already readily available to the FLM's; they should be reminded and trained to contact those involved facilities when the need arises.
ZSE ARTCC Controller reported that an aircraft had a problem wanted to return to departure area and that ATC could not provide the approach information the aircraft needed at the time to assist the aircraft.