However, SATA or not, there simply isn't a way to abort commands in ATA.
 Issuing random command while other commands are in progress simply is
state machine violation and there will be many interesting results
including complete system lockup (ATA controller dying while holding the
PCI bus).  The only reliable way to abort in-flight commands are by
issuing hardreset.  However, ATA reset protocol is not designed for
quick recovery.  The machine is gonna hit the ground hard way before the
reset protocol is complete.

Actually you cau can issue idle immediate on older ATA devices. I am not
clear if that was stuck back into the current accelerometer friendly
drives or not. Would need to check with IBLenovo