Date: 201405
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZHU.ARTCC, TX
Aircraft: Small Transport
Operator: Corporate
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: IFR
Flight phase: Final Approach
Airspace: Class E ZHU
ATC / advisory: Center ZHU
Reporter organization: Government
Reporter function: Enroute
Reporter qualification: Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Human factors: Confusion; Communication Breakdown
Second reporter function: Enroute
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Diverted
Contributing factors: Airport; Chart Or Publication
Primary problem: Airport

Narrative: I was conducting OJT on sectors 59/93 RADAR associate position. Aircraft X arrived on frequency and the Radar Controller asked him if he had the current weather and NOTAMs' for his destination; to which the pilot responded in the affirmative.  All coordination with pertinent adjacent sectors had been accomplished and the Radar Controller cleared Aircraft X for an instrument approach to CZT airport.  The pilot arrived back on frequency within five or six minutes and advised that the runway was closed and had men/equipment on it.  He asked if we were aware.    When we checked the ERIDS monitor for NOTAMs to CZT we saw the runway outage but we advised the pilot that the NOTAM had expired two hours previously.  He left the frequency momentarily and we double checked the NOTAM and realized that the NOTAM did not actually expire.  We misread the expiration date.  When we were able to talk with the pilot again; we relayed that the NOTAM was in fact valid.  The pilot canceled IFR and; to my knowledge; proceeded VFR to nearby COT and landed.There is an unrealistic burden placed upon controllers to monitor and forward 'pertinent' NOTAMs to aircraft landing at uncontrolled airports.  At any point; I can bring up NOTAM information for small uncontrolled airports in West Texas and there will generally be no less than a dozen NOTAMs'; mostly tower lights out of service.  In the event described above; the NOTAM was effective when the pilot filed the flight plan.  The controller asked the pilot if he had the NOTAMs' and he said he did.  That; in my opinion; is where the controller's responsibility should end.  When controllers begin to interpret what is 'pertinent' for an airport; the door is left open to liability and litigation.  It is my earnest desire that this problem will be addressed and the burden of responsibility placed appropriately on the pilot.


Second narrative: Aircraft X checked on my frequency descending to FL140 and on a heading of 230.  Once the Aircraft X was clear of traffic I issued a clearance direct CZT with a descent clearance to 3;000.  I asked Aircraft X if he had the weather and applicable NOTAMS for CZT and was he looking for the visual?  He replied affirmative and stated due to the weather he wanted to be set up for the RNAV/GPS 13.  I then cleared Aircraft X for the approach.  I switched Aircraft X to advisory frequency and instructed him in flight plan cancellation procedures.  He stated that he would be able to cancel IFR in the air shortly.  A few minutes later he came back up on frequency and stated that the runway had men and equipment on it.  He asked if I had that NOTAM.  My D-side looked and said; 'No'.  I told the pilot; 'No'.  My D-side then said; 'Oh; here it is but in expired at XA00z'.  I then told the pilot that we had it but it expired almost two hours ago.  I told the pilot that either the NOTAM had not been updated or the workers were late clearing the runway.  He said he was in VFR conditions and was going to go around for another look.  My D-side then said; 'Oops; it doesn't expire until tomorrow'.  I notified the Supervisor and the pilot came back on the frequency reporting that it was definitely closed with workers and equipment.  I informed him that we had found the right NOTAM and it expired tomorrow.  I then reminded him that he told me he had the NOTAMS and I apologized for missing the NOTAM.  The pilot said; 'Not to worry;' and he canceled his flight plan and flew VFR to COT.I should have checked the NOTAMS myself instead of relying on the pilot.


Synopsis: Controllers at ZHU complain about the responsibility of having to know and provide NOTAM information to pilots after an aircraft is cleared for an instrument approach to a closed runway.