Narrative:

I was working the satellite and arrival sectors and took radar on aircraft X level at 4000 feet on a 250 heading. After some time; I vectored aircraft X to a 310 heading to put the aircraft towards its course. An arrival was coming inbound that I needed to descend; so I put aircraft X on a 280 heading to create divergence. Once the arrival was no longer a factor; I issued a 340 heading to aircraft X and received no response. I tried again and received no response and saw no change in the course of the aircraft on the radar. I gave an instruction to the arrival; and observed that the frequency was still working well with the other aircraft. Aircraft X was approaching an area of terrain with an MVA (minimum vectoring altitude) of 5000 feet while level at 4000 feet. I attempted on 121.5 several times and included instructions to turn away from the terrain and a frequency change. I also attempted the standby transmitter for the frequency assigned and asked other positions to attempt contact and turn aircraft X north if they had him. Calls were made to neighboring facilities to try as well. Aircraft X went into the 5000 foot MVA and shortly after contacted me. I issued a turn to heading 010 to get away from the higher terrain; and a climb to 5000 feet. When possible; I put aircraft X on course and descended back to 4000 feet. I issued the brasher statement to the pilot prior to a frequency change to the next sector. I could have told the pilot when to expect a vector back to the north; and it's possible they may have realized earlier that their radio had failed when they didn't receive an instruction.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Center Controller reported an aircraft on a vector went NORDO and flew below the Minimum Vectoring Altitude.

Narrative: I was working the Satellite and Arrival Sectors and took radar on Aircraft X level at 4000 feet on a 250 heading. After some time; I vectored Aircraft X to a 310 heading to put the aircraft towards its course. An arrival was coming inbound that I needed to descend; so I put Aircraft X on a 280 heading to create divergence. Once the arrival was no longer a factor; I issued a 340 heading to Aircraft X and received no response. I tried again and received no response and saw no change in the course of the aircraft on the Radar. I gave an instruction to the arrival; and observed that the frequency was still working well with the other aircraft. Aircraft X was approaching an area of terrain with an MVA (Minimum Vectoring Altitude) of 5000 feet while level at 4000 feet. I attempted on 121.5 several times and included instructions to turn away from the terrain and a frequency change. I also attempted the standby transmitter for the frequency assigned and asked other positions to attempt contact and turn Aircraft X north if they had him. Calls were made to neighboring facilities to try as well. Aircraft X went into the 5000 foot MVA and shortly after contacted me. I issued a turn to heading 010 to get away from the higher terrain; and a climb to 5000 feet. When possible; I put Aircraft X on course and descended back to 4000 feet. I issued the brasher statement to the pilot prior to a frequency change to the next sector. I could have told the pilot when to expect a vector back to the north; and it's possible they may have realized earlier that their radio had failed when they didn't receive an instruction.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.