Approach control issues a pop up IFR clearance to an aircraft. When the data block does not activate...

Narrative:

A PA28 had a VFR flight plan on file and was provided flight following. The PA28 has stated that he had difficulty in filing an IFR flight plan and wanted to know if ATC could air file one. I called flight data and asked him to put in an IFR flight plan on file. Flight data created an IFR flight. The IFR flight plan was issued to the PA28. The PA28 changed to the appropriate beacon code. His VFR data tag was dropped by myself and was waiting for him to auto acquire. He never did. For some reason; he was displayed as a splat. Later; I tried a blanket broadcast to see 'who' the splat was with no response. During my briefing to the next controller; the splat target was discussed but not followed up. The PA28 had entered ARTCC airspace without a handoff.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Approach Control issues a pop up IFR clearance to an aircraft. When the data block does not activate; the Controller forgets about the aircraft. The aircraft subsequently enters ARTCC airspace without coordination; causing confusion.

Narrative: A PA28 had a VFR flight plan on file and was provided flight following. The PA28 has stated that he had difficulty in filing an IFR flight plan and wanted to know if ATC could air file one. I called Flight Data and asked him to put in an IFR flight plan on file. Flight Data created an IFR flight. The IFR flight plan was issued to the PA28. The PA28 changed to the appropriate beacon code. His VFR data tag was dropped by myself and was waiting for him to auto acquire. He never did. For some reason; he was displayed as a splat. Later; I tried a blanket broadcast to see 'who' the splat was with no response. During my briefing to the next controller; the splat target was discussed but not followed up. The PA28 had entered ARTCC airspace without a handoff.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

Attributes
ACN	980776
Time
Date	201111
Local Time Of Day	0001-0600
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.TRACON
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Phase	Cruise
Flight Plan	IFR
Person 1
Function	Approach
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Person 2
Function	Handoff / Assist
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Airspace Violation All Types

Approach control issues a pop up IFR clearance to an aircraft. When the data block does not activate; the controller forgets about the aircraft. The aircraft subsequently enters ARTCC airspace without coordination; causing confusion.