The headset preload is merely to ensure the headset bearings don't become loose. If it was enough to deal with the fore and aft stresses on the fork, the headset would be locked rigid. There's a reason headsets have two bearings, not one. And that relies on the fork steerer being strong enough and stiff enough to keep the fork legs in roughly the right place. If you don't believe it's true, try riding your bike without the top bearing in the headset, and just preloading the bottom bearing. Or don't, if you value your teeth/face.
The headset preload is merely to ensure the headset bearings don't become loose. If it was enough to deal with the fore and aft stresses on the fork, the headset would be locked rigid. There's a reason headsets have two bearings, not one. And that relies on the fork steerer being strong enough and stiff enough to keep the fork legs in roughly the right place. If you don't believe it's true, try riding your bike without the top bearing in the headset, and just preloading the bottom bearing. Or don't, if you value your teeth/face.