This article seeks to provide general guidance on flight control malfunctions. Nothing herein should be taken as a substitute for aircraft-specific guidance in the Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) or other relevant manuals. This discussion is aimed primarily at crews of transport category jets.

Definition

Flight control malfunctions can include a wide variety of problems ranging from hydraulic failure, control surface jamming, control surface hardovers, component failure, trim tab failure, trim tab runaway, structural damage, fly-by-wire system failure, and others. QRH procedures and related flight manual guidance provide the best remedies for most of these problems. However, no manual can cover all possible contingencies, and strong systems and aerodynamics knowledge can help pilots handle situations for which there are no full and specific instructions.