King Air autolands in Colorado (after apparent loss of cabin pressure)

[Neal]

King Air autolands in Colorado

A Beechcraft King Air landed December 20 in Colorado under Garmin Autoland control, though the reason for the system's use remained unclear.

aopa.org

Not an accident, but maybe an incident. I'm curious how the FAA is going to handle this one.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

My understanding is they had a cabin de-pressurization event which auto-initiated autoland. What I don't understand is why the 2 person crew let it continue to landing with the resultant deployment of emergency services and an airport closure.

If they were simply curious how autoland would work they could have transmitted situation reports saying there was no crew incapacitation and no emergency. Perhaps they did but they are not heard on the VAS replay.

 

[Neal]

Exactly and that's why I think the FAA is going to be looking into this. Once below 10,000 ft they should have terminated the auto land and resumed control. Keyboard warrior, yes, but that's why I think this is not going to just go over as a good decision by parties involved.