Commercial Fixed Wing
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 4.0
Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Weather; Human Factors; Procedure
I was working an Approach sector and cleared Aircraft X for the ILS approach. I noticed the Tower departed Aircraft Y. Aircraft Y should have contacted me on departure control on a 150 heading from the Tower. I noticed the pilot still had not called me 2 miles southeast of the airport and started to turn westbound. I monitored the Tower to see what was going on and heard Aircraft Y tell the tower his gear would not go up. I asked the tower controller if they wanted me to break Aircraft X off of the approach and he said no. I told the Tower I would provide extra room between Aircraft X and the next arrival in case they needed it.I switched Aircraft X to the Tower and told them to prepare for a go around because the Tower was dealing with a possible emergency. I saw Aircraft Y turn base with Aircraft X on a 6 mile final and then turned up the final heading right toward Aircraft X. When the two aircraft were about 3 miles apart and heading directly at each other I called the tower and told them to turn Aircraft Y to heading 270 now because the wind was pushing them right into Aircraft X. As Aircraft Y started the turn west bound the collision alert started going off. The two aircraft got approximately 1.5 miles from each other and 100 feet with a 350 knot closure rate. If I did not tell the tower to turn Aircraft Y I do not think they would have turned them on their own.I believe this was a performance issue and the controller needs training in unusual situations. This is not the first time the controller has had an issue with unusual situations. Management is aware of the first event. The controller is certified as a Controller in Charge in the Tower and is in training on Approach Control.
A TRACON Controller reported observing an aircraft in distress turning final becoming in conflict with another aircraft that was inbound on a strait in.