A hydraulic actuator for a hydraulic servomotor 4 is disclosed. The
hydraulic servomotor 4 has a first chamber 5 and a second chamber 6
associated therewith. The hydraulic actuator is connected to a fluid
source 2 and a fluid drain 3, and it comprises a valve assembly arranged
between the fluid source 2 and the fluid drain 3 to control fluid
pressures in the chambers 5, 6. At least one auxiliary valve 11 is
fluidly connected between the valve assembly and the fluid drain 3, said
auxiliary valve(s) 11 being of a kind which is normally closed in a
de-energized state. In the case of a power cut off the auxiliary valve(s)
11 will close, thereby preventing fluid flow from the valve assembly
towards the fluid drain 3. This causes a servomotor piston member 12 to
be hydraulically locked in its instantaneous position, thereby locking
the hydraulic servomotor 4. The valve assembly may be designed without
taking the locking function into consideration.