Date: 201708
Local time of day: 1801-2400
Location: NCT.TRACON, CA
Flight conditions: IMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Skylane 182/RG Turbo Skylane/RG
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Personal
Flight phase: Final Approach
Airspace: Class E NCT
ATC / advisory: TRACON NCT
Reporter organization: Government
Reporter function: Approach
Reporter qualification: Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Human factors: Human-Machine Interface; Situational Awareness; Confusion
Second reporter function: Pilot Flying
Anomaly: ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Altitude Overshoot; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Detector: Person Air Traffic Control; Person Flight Crew
When detected: In-flight
Result: Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; Flight Crew Executed Go Around / Missed Approach; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Diverted; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Airspace Structure; Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Human Factors

Narrative: Aircraft X was cleared for the ZZZ RNAV approach; was given cancellation instructions; and was switched to advisory frequency. On short final I observed the aircraft make a left turn consistent with the published missed approach. The Low Altitude Alert began flashing with the aural alarm as the aircraft was still descending. I reached out to the aircraft to see if he was on my frequency; but with no response. I continued working my other traffic. Aircraft X started to make a left turn to the east no longer consistent with the published missed approach. I reached out to the aircraft and this time he was now on my frequency. The pilot advised he was 'trying to get back on top'. I told the aircraft to fly his present heading and climb and maintain 3000 feet. The aircraft was at 1000 feet and the Minimum Vectoring Altitude (MVA) is 2300 feet. I should have issued a safety alert for a climb immediately. The aircraft began making a left turn to the North. Again I advised the pilot to fly his present heading and climb and maintain 3000 feet. This was a vector below the MVA but as the pilot continued to make turns; I was trying to help the pilot get above the layer. I obtained pilot reports that nearby airports were clear despite the low ceiling indicated on the ATIS. Once the pilot was back above the layer I turned him toward a different airport. I gave him the weather and pilot reports and asked for his intentions. The pilot decided to land at ZZZ1. I re-cleared the pilot and coordinated with the Tower to make a Visual Approach with no restrictions. The pilot landed safely. I need to make sure that I issue the correct safety alerts. I felt the pilot was in distress and treated him as an emergency although I did not ask the pilot if this was the case I only advised them of an IFR change of destination. I was still trying to comprehend what I was seeing and my judgment was a little bit behind. I try to think of what to do in situations like these but the stress of the moment is hard to be prepared for.


Second narrative: I was established on an approach inside FAF; stabilized and flying in a cloud with autopilot engaged. The ceiling was about 1200 feet and there was VFR traffic in pattern landing runway 20. I was still over the ocean and the ceiling was lower than at the airport and visibility essentially zero. I was flying the RNAV Approach (opposing pattern traffic) monitoring approach and CTAF and making position reports on CTAF as I approached airport. We recently installed Aspen evolution 1000 pro glass panel including adding a flight director to display. The AP/FD switch was installed by avionics shop in a position in the airplane that allows inadvertent disconnection of autopilot. Apparently I bumped the AP/FD switch disconnecting autopilot and the autopilot signaled disconnect. I was startled by the autopilot disconnect and I temporarily lost control of airplane beginning a turn and continuing to descend. When I regained control I was off course and all I wanted to do was climb back on top. When I was on top of the cloud and shaken up the Approach controller was very helpful in directing me to an airport that was in the clear. I flew uneventfully to that airport and landed.As I think back on this incident I realize that I need more help in transitioning to the recently installed avionics. I thought I could handle the transition without help; but I was mistaken. I am proficient with the avionics for VFR flight; but I need help developing a better scan for IMC. I also need help dealing with unexpected problems in IMC. I have scheduled time with my CFII to assist with my transition to glass panel.


Synopsis: C182 pilot and TRACON Controller reported a pilot deviation from the published missed approach and flight below Minimum Vectoring Altitude.