Large Transport; Low Wing; 2 Turbojet Eng
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 17
Time Pressure; Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness; Workload; Confusion; Distraction
ATC Issue All Types
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance
ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings; Procedure
I was working the CAMRN/FINAL position vectoring aircraft for the RNAV GPS Y RWY 4L approach when the JFK RADAR failed.  All my planes went into coast and did not come back.  I changed to the EWR radar sensor and continued working.  Unbeknownst to me; Aircraft X went into coast and his target dropped off.  When I scanned my radar scope and flight strips; I noticed that Aircraft X was missing.  There was absolutely no target (no beacon; primary or anything). I asked the pilot to slow to make sure he was still on frequency and when he acknowledged; I informed him that radar contact had been lost.  Another controller changed to the ISP sensor and saw where Aircraft X was.  I instructed Aircraft X to proceed direct COL VOR until radar identified again and this way I knew where he'd be.  Radar contact was reestablished somewhere southwest of the CHANT intersection and I resumed all normal ops.  I did not have any other problems with any other aircraft.I have no recommendation. Fix the problem.
N90 Controller reports of losing RADAR and missing an aircraft when it is finally changed to another RADAR feed. The Controller describes how he found the aircraft and what he did to identify it again.