Airplane lands itself during in-flight emergency for the first time in history of aviation

Thursday, December 25, 2025 - In a historic first for aviation automation, a plane has successfully landed itself during a real-world emergency using an automated system.

The incident involved a Beechcraft Super King Air 200 which came to a safe stop on the runway. According to video footage released by emergency responders, both individuals on board emerged from the aircraft unscathed.

The twin-engine turboprop was brought down under the control of Garmin’s Autoland system. While the technology is currently installed on approximately 1,700 aircraft, the manufacturer confirmed that this event marks the first time the system has been used from start to finish during an actual emergency

The aircraft, operated by charter company Buffalo River Aviation, was on a flight with no passengers on board when the system took over

According to a statement from the charter company’s CEO, the aircraft experienced a rapid, uncommented loss of pressurization. While the pilots immediately donned their oxygen masks, the Autoland system engaged automatically once the cabin altitude exceeded safe levels.

Though the pilots remained conscious, they made the strategic decision to let the system finish the landing. The company noted that the crew chose to "preserve and use all available tools" to minimize variables in an unpredictable situation, prioritizing a safe outcome.

In this case, the crew consciously elected to preserve and use all available tools and minimize additional variables... prioritizing life and a safe outcome over all other factors."

During the descent, air traffic control recordings captured an automated voice announcing "pilot incapacitation." It warned other pilots in the vicinity: "Emergency auto-land in less than 1 minute on runway 3-0 right."

The charter company clarified that the crew was not actually incapacitated; the radio transmission was a pre-programmed function of the Garmin system's emergency reporting.

The Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating the incident to further understand the sequence of events.