Autopilot Disconnect is Common in PC-12 Aircraft in Weather or Terrain where Turbulence is Present

By Slack Davis Sanger LLP | July 29, 2024

Pilatus PC-12 accident in Wyoming

Aviation Attorney and Pilot, Ladd Sanger, weighs in on Possible Reasons for Wyoming Crash killing 7

Yesterday’s Pilatus PC-12 accident in Wyoming appears to repeat a disturbing series of crashes resulting from sudden loss of control due to an autopilot malfunction. According to aviation attorney Ladd Sanger, who has handled several similar PC-12 accidents, the PC-12 autopilot can suddenly disengage leading to an inflight upset, loss of control, and crash. Another common thread on PC-12 inflight upsets is all have occurred where turbulence was present.

 

Sanger, who is rated as an Airline Transport Pilot, flies his own jet into Wyoming several times a month, he said the terrain and weather can create up-and-down drafts and turbulence which can cause the autopilot to disconnect. “I have flown several different planes in those conditions, but the PC-12 seems to be more susceptible to autopilot disconnect compared with other autopilot systems I regularly fly.”

 

Based on his experience, the Pilatus autopilot system seems prone to disengagement when it is attempting to trim the flight controls which can present the pilot with an out-of-trim condition and excessive control forces at the moment of disengagement. Sanger said he is aware of a PC-12 pilot who had the autopilot disconnect three times on one flight. Despite having the plane inspected after the flight, the mechanics could not find anything wrong with it.

 

Compounding the problem, haze and smoke in Wyoming obscure visibility. Sanger, who had just flown his plane from Wyoming to Texas, said the haze and high terrain add additional challenges for a pilot dealing with an unexpected autopilot malfunction.

 

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