Pilot use of automation eyed in air crashes

By Joan Lowy

Published December 2, 2013 7:37pm ET

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Pilot use of automation eyed in air crashes — A jetliner takes off from Washington's Ronald Reagan National National Airport, Monday, Dec. 2, 2013. Pilots are becoming so reliant on computer systems that do most of the flying in today's airliners that on the rare occasions when something goes wrong, they're sometimes unprepared to take control, according to aviation safety experts and government and industry studies. Increasing automation has been a tremendous safety boon to aviation, contributing to historically low accident rates in the U.S. and many parts of the world. (AP Photo/J. David Ake) | J. David Ake

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pilots are becoming so reliant on computer systems that do most of the flying in today’s airliners that on the rare occasions when something goes wrong, they’re sometimes unprepared to take control, according to aviation safety experts and government and industry studies.

Increasing automation has been a tremendous safety boon to aviation, contributing to historically low accident rates in the U.S. and many parts of the world.

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Federal Aviation Administration Nation Transportation