During a stabilizer trim runaway, which action is required?

• A. Control Wheel - ASSUME MANUAL CONTROL AND OVERRIDE RUNAWAY
• B. STAB TRIM DISC - SELECT
• C. Autopilot - DISENGAGE
• D. Rudder Pedals - OVERPOWER

Answer: (A)

When a stabilizer trim runaway happens, the priority is to take immediate manual control to stop the automatic trim input and maintain aircraft control. Grabbing the control wheel and assuming manual control overrides the runaway, physically blocking the trim system from driving the stabilizer further. This places you back in command of pitch immediately, which is the safest and fastest way to stabilize the airplane.

Disengaging the autopilot is important to ensure auto-trim can’t re-engage, but it isn’t the first action you take—the manual override of the trim input comes first to stop the runaway. The other options don’t address the immediate need to halt the uncontrolled trim movement or to hand-control the aircraft.