Probable cause
Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly affix left main landing gear components, which led to the failure of the left main landing gear during the accident flight.
NTSB analysis
During a touch-and-go landing, the student pilot and flight instructor heard a pop sound as they touched down. The student pilot initiated a go-around and then informed the instructor that the left main landing gear (LMLG) had separated from the airplane. They flew for about 2.5 hours to reduce the airplane’s fuel load before attempting to land with the fractured LMLG. The landing was uneventful and the airplane came to a stop on the runway. According to the instructor the LMLG struck the horizontal stabilizer when it separated, resulting in substantial damage.
Examination of the left main landing gear spring strut revealed that the step bracket was tack welded onto the spring strut. According to the airplane manufacturer, step brackets can only be affixed to the spring strut using an approved epoxy adhesive; welding on the spring strut is not permitted. This improper maintenance resulted in a fatigue crack and the failure of the gear during the accident flight due to overstress.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA22LA171 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 27, 2022
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Sparta, Tennessee
- Nearest airport
- Upper Cumberland Regional Airp (SRB)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N8431U
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1964
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.