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:

Recent fatal accidents highlight the critical challenge pilots face when autopilot systems unexpectedly disconnect, leading to a rapid loss of aircraft control and tragic outcomes.
A personal incident detailed by the author demonstrates how an inadvertent autopilot disconnection, combined with a misunderstanding of specific autopilot modes (like Garmin's "ROL" mode), can quickly disorient a pilot and lead to significant deviations from the intended flight path.
These experiences underscore the importance of pilots possessing both the "tools" (knowledge of systems and recovery procedures) and "capacity" (ability to respond, unaffected by factors like fatigue) to manage sudden increases in workload, as exceeding this capacity is a major accident factor.

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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.