Under what circumstances should the flight crew attempt to overpower the autopilot?

Under certain circumstances, the automatic systems on an aircraft are designed to enhance safety and performance, and the correct approach is to maintain the use of autopilot unless there is a compelling reason to override it. The autopilot systems usually have built-in redundancies and are developed to ensure that they operate effectively during flight.

Trying to overpower the autopilot is generally not advisable unless absolutely necessary. For example, situations that demand manual control due to unexpected emergencies that the autopilot systems cannot handle may justify it; however, doing so without clear need could introduce confusion or additional risks.

In most scenarios, it is preferable to keep the autopilot engaged to leverage its capabilities. This allows the flight crew to concentrate on diagnosing issues or managing other aspects of flight when situations develop. Therefore, the principle is to trust the autopilot unless there’s a specific reason to disengage.