Garmin Autoland lands King Air autonomously in emergency for the first time
A Beechcraft King Air B200 landed autonomously in Colorado on December 20th. Autoland was used for this.
(Image: Garmin)
An emergency autopilot from Garmin took over the flight controls of a Beechcraft King Air B200 on December 20th, guiding it to a landing. According to new findings, this was due to a rapid drop in cabin pressure. The two pilots then put on oxygen masks and decided to leave the Autoland system engaged. This is the first documented emergency activation of the system in a real emergency situation.
The autonomous emergency landing system Garmin Autoland has thus proven its functionality outside of tests. As AVweb reports, the system was activated during a flight from Aspen/Pitkin County Airport to Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport. According to Garmin, the system can do this itself "if it is recognized that the pilot can no longer fly the aircraft." According to AVweb, a standardized announcement from Autoland suggested that a pilot was incapacitated.
Automatic communication with air traffic control
Recordings from airport radio document the incident: The aircraft with the call sign N479BR independently contacted air traffic control and transmitted automated announcements about performing an autonomous emergency landing, providing details on the estimated landing time.
According to flight data, the aircraft took off at 1:43 PM local time from Aspen/Pitkin County Airport and landed safely at 2:19 PM on runway 30 at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, Colorado. Garmin confirmed to local broadcaster FOX31 the successful use of the system.
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How Autoland works
The system, first introduced in 2019, takes full control of the aircraft in emergencies. Autoland independently selects a suitable airport, considering factors such as weather conditions, fuel supply, runway length, and terrain obstacles.
The system can be activated either by pressing a button by pilots or passengers – or it activates automatically when it detects that the pilot is no longer capable of acting. Throughout the entire process, Autoland communicates independently with air traffic control and informs other nearby pilots.
According to Garmin, after landing, the system steers the aircraft down the center line of the runway until it comes to a complete stop, and then automatically shuts down the engines to allow rescue services immediate access.
The first installation of Autoland technology in a King Air B200 took place in January 2024. In August 2025, the system was also certified for the larger King Air 350 – making it the largest aircraft to date with this potentially life-saving technology. In total, Autoland is now approved for eleven different aircraft models.
Text adjusted due to new findings. Previous reports that a pilot had become unconscious were incorrect. Furthermore, there were two pilots on board.
(mack)
