What can cause sudden total incapacitation?
A medical condition such as a heart attack, stroke or seizure, or transient mental abnormality. A Bird Strike or other event causing incapacitating physical injury.
Does the pilot land the plane?
Yes a plane can land by itself using a system that is often referred to as “autoland”. The pilots can program the auto-pilot to carry out the landing automatically whilst the pilots monitor the aircraft. However there are limitations as to when the autoland system can be used.
Can a passenger realistically save a plane?
Yes, this is a question from the movies. Assume that the plane is in flight and in perfect mechanical conditions. However, all the pilots onboard are suddenly incapacitated. Can a passenger without any previous flight experience realistically save the plane and take it to a safe landing only by remote radio help?
Which is easier for a passenger to take over?
Generally, I think a passenger should have an easier time to take over, when he/she is sitting already in the right seat. He/she could watch the pilot before and has a full set of controls available. GA planes move much more slowly, so things happen at a slower pace and much less kinetic energy is involved if the touchdown is not perfect.
Can a passenger program autoland on a jet?
More importantly, after having their fun in the simulator, the show notes that all modern commercial jets are equipped with autoland, so all the passenger would need to do is program it, with instructions from ATC. ATC may even be able to program it remotely on current aircraft.
Can a plane land in the right seat?
Much depends on the constitution of the new pilot: Some people will simply panic and not be able to follow even the best remote help. But if they keep their cool, a good landing (meaning one you can walk away from) should be possible. I had been in the right seat of a Lancair once and the pilot turned the plane over to me on final.