What is a plausible scenario for aircraft sabotage for a science fiction novel? I am writing a science fiction novel and my characters are about to board a private jet - they will be leaving Virginia and flying to CERN in Switzerland. Some factions are not happy with what they are attempting to accomplish and the plane is sabotaged. Here is the important part - one of my characters is an alien with limited telekinesis ability. If something is "stuck" then he will be able to save the plane by moving it, with his mind (not the plane itself - that is beyond his ability).

So my question is: What is a plausible mechanical failure that could be induced in advance by someone on the ground who was trying to prevent them from getting to CERN, that could be discovered by the pilot/crew during flight and that my alien can correct in time to save everyone using his telekinesis ability?

In the book's plot, the alien would have to be able to see it in order to move it...I know nothing about aviation so I don't know how to make this scene at least somewhat plausible -any suggestions would be deeply appreciated!
If the alien has to see it to fix it, that rules out anything not visible from the windows (i.e., tail, landing gear, etc.)

If the alien is a passenger, the only moving parts that come to mind are the ailerons.

Have your saboteurs cause a complete failure of the aileron controls (In a Gulfstream 3 I think it's cables with a hydraulic boost, but I could be wrong).  A semi-cut cable won't be caught on a preflight (who takes apart a wing?), but could break over the ocean.   

Your alien could save the day by directly manipulating one of the ailerons to keep the plane level.

I don't know the forces involved - I hope your alien is really strong.