A Historic Milestone: Garmin Autoland Successfully Executes Emergency Landing for King Air
In a monumental advancement for aviation safety technology, Garmin’s Emergency Autoland system successfully executed its first real-world emergency landing on December 20, 2025. The system sprang into action when a Beechcraft King Air B200 experienced a rapid loss of cabin pressurization over Colorado.
The aircraft, operating under Buffalo River Aviation flight N479BR, was en route from Aspen-Pitkin County Airport to Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport. The Autoland system automatically engaged after the cabin altitude exceeded safe levels at approximately 23,000 feet. Upon this occurrence, the two pilots immediately donned oxygen masks. Exercising what the operator described as “conservative judgment under their emergency command authority”, they consciously allowed the Autoland system to maintain control of the aircraft.
The sophisticated system took complete control of the twin turboprop. It selected Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport as the optimal landing location, communicated with air traffic control using automated voice transmissions, and executed a flawless landing on Runway 30. The aircraft touched down safely at 2:19 p.m. local time. The system even shut down the engines to allow rescue personnel on board, resulting in both occupants emerging unharmed.
Garmin confirmed this marked the first use of Autoland “from start-to-finish in an actual emergency” since the technology’s introduction in 2019. As of now, more than 1,700 in-service aircraft are equipped with the system. The incident is currently under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board.
Source: https://www.flyingmag.com/garmin-autoland-passes-first-real-world-test/