Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Air Traffic Control Time Certified In Pos 1 (yrs) 3
Distraction
Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence; Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Weather
The pilot was filed to land at OBE and change destinations to AVO due to severe thunderstorms. I vectored the aircraft direct OMIGE for the RNAV Runway 05 approach and issued him to maintain 3;000 ft. As he was approaching OMIGE I noticed he was in a northbound turn and asked if he was entering a procedure turn or something. He responded; 'I'm in trouble'. I asked for the nature of the emergency and he said he was in a microburst and could not control the aircraft. I tried to remain calm and told him course and altitude is his discretion and to try to maintain level wings and penetration airspeed. I observed a sharp climb and a rapid turn to the north. I offered him vectors to LAL and he was able to regain control of the aircraft and accept vectors to the Lakeland airport. I handed him off to Tampa approach and thank god he landed safely. I have never been more scared for another person in my life. I would recommend that this pilot not fly near severe thunderstorms and stay safe on the ground.
ZMA ARTCC Controller reported an aircraft was caught in a microburst and eventually regained controlled of the aircraft after vectoring to another airport.