Originally Posted by
EXDAC
For MD-11 elevator hydraulic actuators are in the horizontal stab. Control is divided between the two flight control computers with FCC-1 driving right outboard and left inboard and FCC-2 driving right inboard and left outboard elevators. FCC control input drives the actuator mod pistons and feedback of mod and ram piston positions is provided electrically to the FCC.
I would expect DC-10 to be similar architecture except that the two MD-11 digital FCC are replaced by analog pitch and roll computers.
That definitely sounds like the AP controls the actuators directly, so control would be independent of the control cables that are connected to the cockpit. And if the signal wires for the AP are not routed through the floor like the control cables, OPs story could have merit.