What could potentially happen if the torque link on an oleo strut fails?

If the torque link on an oleo strut fails, the landing gear could become misaligned due to the loss of control over the gear's rotational movement. The torque link is designed to stabilize the landing gear during landing and taxiing, helping to maintain alignment and absorbing torsional forces. If this link were to break or malfunction, it could allow the landing gear to rotate improperly, leading to potential misalignment. This misalignment could affect the overall stability and control of the aircraft during takeoff, landing, and ground operations. Proper alignment is critical for safe operation, as misaligned gear could also lead to increased wear or damage to other components.

While hydraulic fluid leakage, brake failure, or decreased strut pressure may be relevant concerns in specific scenarios, they are not directly related to the failure of the torque link itself in the context of the question. Therefore, the correct focus on the misalignment accurately captures the primary consequence of such a failure.