Well, yes - but the problem then is a pilot training regimen that leads them to try to fix the autopilot, first - rather than teaching them to immediately switch it off and fix it later.
I have no doubt veteran US military pilots wouldn't have spent two seconds worrying about why the autopilot wasn't doing what it was supposed to.
Me understanding is that this system does not function when the auto pilot is switched off. I would think the pilot would go to manual mode instantly if the plane was acting abnormally. Fly by looking out the window.