Accident Probes

Autopilot Malfunctions

Editorial Staff

Saturday, June 03, 2023 at 09:10 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Multiple aircraft reported uncommanded pitch-down incidents, frequently involving the Garmin GFC 600 autopilot, which also exhibited issues like porpoising or re-engaging after disengagement.
Autopilot malfunctions led to severe control problems, including a pitch trim actuator failure resulting in full nose-down trim.
Other critical failures included a faulty autopilot mode controller causing electrical smoke and, in a separate incident, jammed ailerons after the autopilot tripped off.

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Cessna 208B Grand Caravan

Uncommanded Pitch Down

Editorial Staff