When Automation Fights the Pilot

Examines two commercial airline accidents, each shaped by technical failures and human factors. The first case describes SAS Flight 751, which suffered dual engine failure shortly after takeoff due to ice ingestion and an unexpected automated system response. Despite losing power, the crew managed to crash-land the aircraft safely, demonstrating exceptional skill and quick decision-making under extreme pressure. The second account focuses on Turkish Airlines Flight 1951, where a faulty radio altimeter triggered the autopilot’s auto-throttle into landing mode at too high an altitude. This caused the engines to idle, and the crew did not immediately recognize the resulting drop in airspeed, leading to a fatal descent before landing. Both incidents highlight the critical interaction between automation, equipment malfunction, and pilot response, and show how investigations have informed improvements in pilot training, operational procedures, and safety protocols to prevent similar accidents.









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