What Happens When Autopilots Fail?

Accidents can occur if workload exceeds an aviator's capacity.

Max Trescott

Friday, May 09, 2025 at 09:10 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

For a pilot, the tools are knowing what to do to fix the inevitable surprises that occur when we fly. [Courtesy: CIrrus Aircraft]

Key Takeaways:

Two fatal accidents highlight how sudden autopilot disconnections can lead to pilots losing control, often when workload rapidly exceeds capacity.
The author's instructional experience demonstrated how pilots, even type-rated, can inadvertently disconnect the autopilot and misinterpret flight director cues (like Garmin's "ROL" mode), leading to disorientation and off-course flight.
A critical takeaway is that maintaining a wide margin between pilot capacity and workload is essential for safely managing inevitable in-flight surprises, as diminished capacity (e.g., due to fatigue) increases accident risk when workload spikes.

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On July 26, 2024, about 1:04 p.m. MDT, a Pilatus PC-12/47E was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Recluse, Wyoming. The pilot and six passengers were killed.

Before the crash, the pilot reported to Salt Lake City Center the loss of the autopilot and declared an emergency. The pilot then advised he was trying to get control of the airplane, and the controller asked if he needed additional assistance. There was no further response from the pilot.