Small Transport
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 6.5
Situational Awareness; Workload
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Weather
I was working Sector 66/68. Aircraft X was cleared from GBD to ZZZ. When Aircraft X departed GBD I issued the pilot the weather between himself and ZZZ. As he got closer to the precipitation I called ZZZ approach and got flight conditions from another Aircraft X company that was at 070 currently going through the precipitation. ZZZ approached advised that the [aircraft] @070 was experiencing severe turbulence. I advised Aircraft X and he requested 030. I knew that I would not be able to talk to him at that altitude and ZZZ already had the handoff so I advised Aircraft X to contact approach and they would have lower for him. A few minutes later I noticed Aircraft X making a left turn away from the weather. The pilot checked back onto my frequency descending saying that he was in severe turbulence and needed to return to GBD. Aircraft X was above the MIA around 3500 ft so I issued him a clearance to GBD via direct and if able maintain at or about 3400. The pilot advised that he was unable and he had experienced extreme turbulence. Aircraft X finally leveled off around 2800 ft. I advised the pilot again that the MIA in his area was 3400 and if able climb an maintain 3800 (which is the MIA enroute to GBD. I issued the pilot the NOTAMS and Weather for GBD and a few minutes later the pilot reported GBD in sight. I cleared Aircraft X for the visual approach and the pilot cancelled his IFR. Equip all aircraft with weather displaying equipment.
ZKC Controller reported of an aircraft that had difficulty reaching its destination due to weather and turbulence. Aircraft turned away from destination and had to return to departure airport.