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Q:

What happens if one of the elevator in the aircraft jams or stops working during flight?

A:

If the elevator becomes jammed during flight, there are a few things a pilot can do to regain some control. If the controls have become disconnected, the pilot has something called a trim tab that can be used to move the elevator. If the elevator is truly stuck, the trim tab can act as a miniature elevator, but it will only provide small pitch changes. Moving luggage or having passengers lean forwards or back can change the pitch by manipulating the plane’s center of gravity. Adjusting the flaps on the wings may also help.

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