What happened
On December 21, 2025, a Cessna 150M, registration N3103V, was involved in an accident near Prospect Heights, Illinois. The aircraft was being operated by a student pilot as part of a solo instructional flight under 14 CFR Part 91.
While returning from a practice area and on final approach, the pilot attempted an altitude correction by applying engine power and slight back pressure to the control yoke. During this maneuver, the pilot heard a click and discovered the control yoke had become stuck. After applying a significant amount of force, the pilot was unable to move the control, causing the airplane to begin climbing while on short final. The pilot continued to apply force until a second click indicated the yoke had been released. The pilot subsequently landed the aircraft and taxied back to the airport without further incident.
There were no injuries resulting from the event.
The investigation
Following the accident, a post-flight examination by the pilot and a flight instructor revealed that the support collar at the instrument panel had cracked. It was determined that when the control yoke was moved through a specific range of motion, the cracked support collar caused the yoke to jam until aggressive force was used to free it. The aircraft sustained substantial damage due to the impact on flight characteristics and the necessity of replacing the component. The support collar was removed and retained for further examination.