Garmin’s Autoland Passes First Real-World Test

Company’s automated landing system took control of a Beechcraft King Air B200 after loss of pressurization.

Jack Daleo

Friday, December 26, 2025 at 01:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Zach Vasile

A Beechcraft King Air B200 activated its Garmin Autoland system after pilots reported a loss of cabin pressurization. [Credit: Garmin]

Key Takeaways:

A Beechcraft King Air B200 equipped with Garmin Autoland successfully performed its first real-world emergency landing due to a cabin pressurization issue at 23,000 feet.
The Autoland system automatically activated, and despite initial confusion, the two conscious pilots chose to monitor its performance rather than disengage it due to complex flying conditions.
The aircraft landed safely at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport with no injuries, demonstrating the system's capability to manage a critical emergency situation.

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A Beechcraft King Air B200 equipped with Garmin Autoland last week executed its first real-world emergency landing, according to the company.

The twin turboprop, tail number N479BR, had no passengers on board and was making a repositioning flight, its operator told FlightRadar24. According to CBS Colorado, the pilot reported a cabin pressurization issue to air traffic control (ATC) shortly after taking off from Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (KASE) in Colorado around 1:43 p.m. local time on December 20. Buffalo River Aviation CEO Chris Townsend told CBS that the Autoland system activated on its own after the aircraft’s cabin altitude exceeded safe levels.