MD-82
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft
On climbout passing FL180 the elevator control became unusually stiff as if the autopilot was engaged. I clicked the A/P disconnect switch; no change. I notified the First Officer and had him try his yoke; and he agreed that it did not feel normal. The pitch trim operated normally. I requested a level-off at FL220 and consulted the QRH; followed by checking the weather conditions at several other airports. We determined that with a control problem it would be best to land at an airport with VFR conditions and a long runway into the wind. All airports other than ZZZ1 had IFR weather or gusty winds at the time. We declared an emergency with Center and were cleared direct ZZZ1. We asked the Controller to notify Dispatch for us which he agreed to do. Descended towards ZZZ1 and completed a visual approach to Runway 10 with a long final. The stiffness of the pitch control remained through landing. They offered the safety equipment to standby and we accepted; and after an uneventful landing the ARFF chief saw nothing obviously wrong. I taxied to the gate where we were debriefed by Maintenance.
[No additional information contained in this report.]
An MD-82 flight crew experienced an unusually stiff elevator control during climb; and determined that the problem did not include the autopilot or the electric trim system. An emergency was declared and the aircraft was diverted to the nearest suitable airport.