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18 SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST REGION REGION It started as a routine evening at Houston Center (ZHU), with low ceilings covering much of the airspace. But controllers Matthew Albrecht, Kenneth Almeter, and Theresa Juhl soon found themselves responding to an aircraft facing both mechanical failure and deteriorating weather conditions. At approximately 10:55 p.m., controllers observed an unidentified aircraft squawking 7700 in the transponder code for an emergency. After establishing communications, the pilot of N9573V, a Cessna 172M Skyhawk, reported a left magneto failure. Although engine power had briefly returned, the pilot was contending with deteriorating weather, an unreliable aircraft, and diminishing options. Albrecht immediately began evaluating nearby landing options. He first identified a private airstrip, but the pilot lost visual contact with it. Albrecht then coordinated for another airport, but low ceilings at that time also prevented a safe landing. The search continued. Albrecht then noticed Blueghost 312 (BGST312), a military aircraft operating near another potential airport, and enlisted its crew to help. BGST312 provided real-time weather observations and reported favorable conditions near the airport. Albrecht coordinated to keep the military aircraft clear of the approach while using its reports to identify a viable route for the distressed pilot: BGST312 reported large gaps in cloud coverage and blue skies into Palacios Municipal Airport (PSX) when approached from the southeast. As the emergency intensified, the pilot reported the engine beginning to fail again when the power was increased. Almeter took responsibility for the surrounding airspace, managing traffic, and maintaining the safe and orderly flow of operations, so Albrecht could focus entirely on assisting the pilot to a safe landing. Juhl relayed critical information over the guard frequency, coordinated with other aircraft, and provided field condition reports that helped identify the safest landing option. Working seamlessly as a team, the three controllers used exceptional judgment, resource management, and communication to guide the pilot through deteriorating weather and mechanical failure. Using weather observations from BGST312, Albrecht directed the aircraft Matthew Albrecht Houston ARTCC ZHU Kenneth Almeter Houston ARTCC ZHU Theresa Juhl Houston ARTCC ZHU Matthew Albrecht Theresa Juhl Kenneth Almeter

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