Small Aircraft; High Wing; 1 Eng; Fixed Gear
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 5
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Ground Event / Encounter Ground Equipment Issue; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
Procedure; Human Factors
I was working South Radar combined with all the sectors in the TRACON; I took an IFR handoff from JCF in the area of WJF Airport. I looked back after working other aircraft and Aircraft X was below the MVA. He was level at 080 and was in a 090 MVA. I heard the aircraft check in but couldn't hear me. I called JCF to ask what their MVA is in that area with hope that it was a valid altitude to assign and they said something along the lines of he's my control to climb. I tried to reach out multiple times to contact the aircraft and no response - I think he was too low for my radio coverage. I reached out on Guard to climb the aircraft; no response or ident. The aircraft went back to previous frequency and I believe got control instructions to climb. Once they were about 085-087 the pilot was able to hear me. After flying about 20 miles the aircraft asked if he did anything wrong. The pilot claimed he had a much different route filed but the controllers gave him direct.[I recommend to] appropriately staff the FAA's facilities so simple mistakes don't get overlooked.
BFL TRACON Controller reported an aircraft going below the MVA and was unable to communicate with the aircraft due to spotty radio coverage at the aircraft's altitude.