Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 7
Workload; Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness; Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition
Aircraft; ATC Equipment / Nav Facility / Buildings
Aircraft X checked on frequency level at 8500 southeast of Freeport. I was busy with a west flow out of South Florida; continual flashing on the scope from data blocks associated with the Fighter Cap due to TFR at PBI. Freeport frequencies; VOR and Radar are still damaged from hurricane Dorian with no fix in sight. Traffic was heavy with departure traffic and overflights from the island. Aircraft X [advises that he has engine problems]; he was partially blocked due to high traffic volume and being on our LOW frequency. I confirmed it was him and got a range/baring for Freeport airport (MYGF). I asked the nature of the [problem] and he said that the 'engine was running rough and vibrating violently.' I continued to work traffic and give him some time to assess the [problem]. Asked for fuel on board; souls on board. Told him to pitch for best glide. The pilot stated that they still had power but very rough; they thought they had lost their #6 piston; or it had stopped functioning. I asked the FLM (Front Line Manager) that was trying to leave the area to please call Freeport tower and advise. We have no way to communicate on sector with Freeport tower because the MEVA PABX line has been down since Hurricane Dorian. Our PABX line with telephone number to Freeport tower was also INOP. The pilot stated they were going to continue under rough power to circle down over Freeport. I continued to call the airport and advise they were landing west due to prevailing winds. Finally a FLM from another area came and I told to call Freeport and advise of the situation. I called multiple times for a D-side to assist as I still had the heavy traffic load. Finally got a D-side to help me with everything. Supervisor from Coastal got a hold of Freeport Tower and gave me the winds and runway info. I relayed to pilot who stated he had in sight and would make the runway; they spiraled down and I switched to Freeport tower frequency. The pilot was able to land safely with the 4 people on board.We need our frequencies; radar; MEVA and PABX lines back on Freeport. No communication exists and we are operating a ton of traffic into and out of the airport along with multiple airline flights a day that are being required to cancel IFR as there are no procedures set up between us and ZFP approach. It's a very busy weekend and could have used some D-side support as soon as they heard me yell out emergency.I also forgot to terminate his radar before switching the pilot to the tower.
ZMA Controller reported problems contacting MYGF Tower controllers while trying to coordinate a landing for an aircraft with engine issues.