Incident Overview
On December 21, 2025, at approximately 1342 central standard time, a Cessna 150M, registration N3103V, was substantially damaged during a solo instructional flight conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The accident occurred near Prospect Heights, Illinois. The student pilot was not injured.
Flight Sequence
The student pilot was returning from the practice area and was on final approach. While making an altitude correction, he applied engine power and slight back pressure on the control yoke. He then heard a click and realized the yoke was stuck. Initially, he applied a decent amount of force but was unable to move the control. As a result of the stuck control, the airplane began to climb while on short final. The pilot then applied more force to free the yoke, heard another click, and the yoke released and functioned normally. He subsequently landed and taxied back without further issues.
Post-Accident Examination
Following the flight, the pilot and his flight instructor examined the airplane. They found that the support collar at the instrument panel had cracked. When the control yoke was moved through its range of motion in a certain way, the cracked support collar would cause the yoke to become stuck until aggressive force was applied to free it. Due to the adverse effect on the aircraft’s flight characteristics and the required replacement of the support collar, the airplane sustained substantial damage. The support collar was removed and retained for further examination.
Aircraft Information
The affected aircraft was a Cessna 150M, a single-engine trainer commonly used for flight instruction. The accident occurred during a solo training flight, and the student pilot was the sole occupant. No injuries were reported.