Pilot Debrief

CESSNA 172E near Enterprise, OR — 2021-09-02

Final reportWPR21LA337
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Date
2021-09-02
Location
Enterprise, OR, USA
Airport
8S4
Aircraft
CESSNA 172E
Registration
N3965S
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The fatigue fracture of the nose gear upper torque link, which resulted in the separation of the torque link from the shock strut and a loss of directional control.

NTSB narrative

During landing, when the nose gear contacted the runway, the airplane immediately veered to the right, exited the runway surface, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the nose gear upper torque link had fractured near the shock strut mount and separated from the shock strut, which resulted in a loss of directional control. Metallurgical examination of the fracture surfaces of the upper torque link revealed signatures consistent with a fatigue fracture.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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