Autonomous lifesaver: Garmin Autoland rescues Beechcraft King Air after pilot became incapacitated
December 22, 2025
Garmin’s revolutionary Autoland system has been put through its paces in a real-world scenario after the pilot of a Beechcraft King Air became incapacitated over Colorado.
The aircraft was en route to Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport when the incident occurred. The Autoland system reportedly took over control of the aircraft, sent out emergency alerts and communicated with ATC on approach to the airport.
The airport reported that the flight had landed safely and there have been no reports of injuries. It’s not known how many passengers were onboard the aircraft.
Garmin Autoland saves a King Air 200
Flying with tail number N479BR and operated by Buffalo River Aviation, the Beechcraft King Air 200 had set off from Aspen-Pitkin County Airport at 13:43 on Saturday.
At around 14:00, the aircraft squawked 7700 – the universal aviation code for a general emergency. The Garmin Autoland took control of the aircraft and began communicating with air traffic controllers, stating its intention to land on runway 30.
It touched down safely at 14:19 at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan, with the Autoland shutting off the engines to allow rescue personnel on board.
The incident marks the first time Garmin’s Autoland has been used in a real-world situation other than test environments.
“Garmin can confirm that an emergency Autoland activation occurred at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, Colorado,” the company said. “The Autoland took place on Sat., Dec. 20, resulting in a successful landing. We look forward to sharing additional details at the appropriate time.”
How Garmin Autoland works to save aircraft and lives
Garmin Autoland is an emergency safety system designed to automatically land an aircraft if the pilot becomes incapacitated. It is developed by Garmin and is integrated into advanced avionics suites such as the Garmin G3000 and Garmin G5000.
Unlike traditional automation, Autoland is not a pilot-assistance feature for normal operations. It is explicitly designed for worst-case scenarios, when no one on board is capable of flying the aircraft.
Autoland can be activated in two ways:
- Automatically, if the system detects a loss of pilot interaction over a defined period, combined with other indicators such as lack of control inputs
- Manually, via a dedicated “Autoland” button accessible to passengers
Once activated, Autoland takes full control of the aircraft. From that point, the system manages navigation, communications, descent, approach, landing, braking, and engine shutdown.
Despite the name, Garmin Autoland is not the same as airline autoland systems used in low-visibility approaches. It requires no pilot input once activated, and works at any suitable airport, not just those which are approved.
The King Air incident offers a rare real-world validation of Autoland’s design philosophy, showing how automation can act as a last line of defence when human intervention is no longer possible. While never intended to replace pilot skill, the system’s successful use in an emergency highlights its potential to fundamentally change how aviation manages pilot incapacitation risk.
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