Air Force Studies Autonomous Cargo Jets - AVweb

The S-76 had a 4 axis Autopilot, I don’t think your Bonanza came with one. A 4 Axis autopilot has hover capability. This accident should never have happened. Qualified Rotorcraft pilots routinely fly into instrument conditions, do instrument approaches and land safely. This pilot made a bad decision, compounded it with losing spatial orientation and it cost 9 lives. A simple IFR clearance and climb to VFR above the marine layer would have safely ended the situation. He knew the route and the terrain. I am pretty certain Island Helicopter was a ‘VFR only’ 135 operator.