S-70/UH-60 Blackhawk/Seahawk/Pavehawk/Knighthawk
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Procedure; Weather
I had Aircraft X on my frequency VFR flight following at 070; departing AEG. I advised Aircraft X that I would lose him on RADAR and radio communications; and asked him if he intended to climb; to which he replied; 'Negative.' There was a PIREP for light rime icing at 130 SW of ONM that I had issued to Aircraft X; to which he acknowledged. Shortly after losing RADAR on Aircraft X I advised him; 'RADAR service terminated;' and switched him over to advisories; to which he acknowledged. Approximately 20-30 minutes later; Aircraft Y called looking for a pop up IFR to INW. I asked him for a position report and altitude; but his transmissions came in garbled or broken; so I attempted to relay through a Medevac flight I had on my frequency. I relayed several times the squawk codes; but did not receive a code display. The aircraft was unreadable or would not acknowledge most of my further transmissions. After a few minutes; I noticed an emergency squawk code show up on my scope; and at that point I tried to get the aircraft squawking the emergency code to identify himself; to which I received no response. I informed my Supervisor; and eventually we determined that Aircraft Y was squawking the emergency code. I then asked Aircraft Y if he still had an emergency; or if he ever did at any point; and he said; 'Negative.' Around the same time; Aircraft X and Aircraft Z both call up looking for pop up IFR clearances to INW as well. I gave them codes and RADAR identified them; and Aircraft Y was looking for his clearance; stating he was in IFR conditions; but I could not give it to him until I vectored both Aircraft X and Aircraft Z on sharp headings to achieve lateral separation between Aircraft Y; Aircraft X; and Aircraft Z. I believe all three were flying in VFR conditions at some point and had eventually flown into IFR conditions and then called me for clearances when they were in the weather. Two of the aircraft eventually diverted and Aircraft Y continued IFR into INW. Recommendation; I think it is important for all aircraft receiving VFR flight following (or not) to maintain VFR conditions during all phases of flight. These helicopters got into the weather and got into trouble; and should have requested their IFR clearances much earlier.
ZAB Controller described multiple VFR Army helicopters that encountered IMC conditions; the reporter indicated the subject helicopters should have requested an IFR clearance much sooner.