Date: 201210
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: ZMP.ARTCC, MN
Flight conditions: Mixed
Aircraft: Commander 114/A/B/TC
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: VFR
Flight phase: Cruise
Airspace: Class E ZMP
ATC / advisory: Center ZMP
Reporter organization: Government
Reporter function: Enroute
Reporter qualification: Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Human factors: Confusion; Situational Awareness
Second reporter function: Enroute
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT; Inflight Event / Encounter VFR In IMC
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Contributing factors: Human Factors; Weather
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: IFR conditions in Sector 36. AC11 came up on frequency looking for flight following. Pilot said he was trying to stay VFR. I tried to find VFR conditions at a nearby airport. I had an IFR aircraft nearby who reported he was between layers. I told the pilot several times to maintain VFR. After a few more moments; he reported he was in the clouds (IMC). I gave him the local altimeter; and asked his altitude. He told me he was 2;500 FT MSL which put him below the minimum safe altitude. Pilot asked for a VFR on top (OTP) clearance. I asked him if he was IFR qualified; he responded that he was half way through his IFR training. Because he was in the clouds and only 500 FT above ground level; I issued a VFR OTP clearance and asked him to report as soon as he was out of the clouds. He told me he was out of the clouds at 3;300 FT and at that time I terminated the IFR clearance and told him to maintain VFR. A short time later the aircraft was RADAR identified and shipped to the next sector. I noticed that OTP was back in his Data Block in the next sector. I called the adjacent sector and told them that he was not OTP but VFR. They suggested that he still thought he was OTP; but I told them that he was not qualified for an OTP clearance. I took the actions I did to get a VFR pilot and his aircraft out of potential danger as; again; he was only 500 FT above the ground and in the clouds. I determined that there was no conflict and that I could safely get the pilot out of IMC conditions and safely on his way.


Second narrative: I was called in to D-Side due to a VFR aircraft stuck in IMC conditions. There wasn't adequate time to conduct a proper briefing due to the urgency of the situation. At the time I entered the sector the RADAR Controller asked if the AC11 was IFR qualified and the pilot responded he was half way through IFR training. The RADAR Controller issued an OTP (VFR on top) clearance. At this point I attempted to ask the RADAR Controller where the AC11 was as he was in a non-RADAR status. The RADAR Controller said; 'He's here'; pointing to a target. The AC11 reported on top at which time the RADAR Controller rescinded the OTP clearance and reverted the AC11 to VFR advisory status.


Synopsis: ZMP Controller described a questionable IFR clearance issued to an aircraft in difficulty encountering IMC conditions but not IFR qualified. The Controller indicated that actions taken were to get the pilot out of a dangerous situation.