Boeing MD-80s need a new checklist item to prevent jammed elevators

The US aviation regulator proposes a new rule for older Boeing MD-80 series airplanes. Pilots will now have to check that the elevator controls are not jammed before takeoff.

This proposed rule comes after pilots reported jammed elevators during takeoff, a serious safety issue. The change means that a simple, mandatory check will be added to the pre-flight routine for these specific aircraft. It is a small, specific fix to a known problem, rather than a broad redesign.