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 analysis
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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR21LA337 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 2, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Enterprise, Oregon
- Nearest airport
- Enterprise Municipal Airport (8S4)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172E
- N-number
- N3965S
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1964
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.