Flightglobal:

Airbus is considering equipping the A350 XWB with an automated system that would put the aircraft into an unaided emergency descent if it detected unsafe......

Author: David Kaminski-Morrow

Date: 14 August 2009

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Good idea, also have a thrust stearing mode as Douglas did after the DC-10 disk failure accident that severed all hydraulic systems.

However a Alcohol/Fatigue lock before starting the plane and cockpit video recording with automatic procedure adherance control will do more to security than the few cases of pressure loss. Some pilots will not like it, however the safety impact especially on cargo aircraft will be substantial.

I guess they have clear text message from tower now but having ut presented in any selected langauge could be a boost for crews with weak english skills.

I would not want to fly in an aircraft possibly starting an automated nose dive towards the ground in case of some sensor fault. Remember last years Qantas accident following a simple angle of attack sensor fault which had not been much of a problem in an airplane with less automation. An automated emergency descent system does not make sense as it is just creating new risks while there has never been any occurrence in an commercial airliner during which such a system had been of any advantage over the pilot controlled maneuvers.

Your forgetting Helios Airways Flight 522. The plane ultimately crashed due to fuel starvation as a result of everyone on board the plane becoming incapacitated due to loss of pressure/oxygen in the cabin. The emergency decent system is a very good idea and makes perfect sense. This wouldn't take the aircraft to the ground either but to a pre-designated altitude where the air was breathable without the need for oxygen masks.

• The high cabin altitude warning system of Helios Airways Flight 522 has not been working. So also an automated emergency descend would not have taken place.
  

From what I understand the sensors used for the new system proposed by Airbus would be separate from the actual warning system. It wouldn't make sense for the system to be directly connected to it.