The paper is devoted to stability and stabilization of a class of evolution equations arising from mathematical modeling of hybrid mechanical systems with flexible parts. A sufficient condition is obtained for partial strong asymptotic stability of nonlinear, infinite-dimensional dynamic systems in Banach spaces. This result is applied to deriving a control law that stabilizes a pan of the variables describing a rotating rigid body endowed with a number of elastic beams. Results of numerical simulations are presented. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.