CEN15LA207

Factual narrative

On April 7, 2015, about 1130 central daylight time, a Cessna 177B, N30981, incurred substantial damage during a nose-over while landing at the Jennings Airport (3R7), Jennings, Louisiana. The pilot was not injured. The airplane received damage to the wings, vertical stabilizer, and fuselage. The aircraft was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not on a flight plan. The flight originated from Waco, Texas, about 0900 with Punta Gorda Airport (PGD), Punta Gorda, Florida, as the ultimate destination. The pilot reported that he intended to land at 3R7 in order to fuel the airplane. He stated that upon landing the main wheels touched down and then the nose wheel came down hard. He stated that he believed that the nose tire blew and the uncompressing nose strut caused the airplane to porpoise. He stated that the airplane then stalled and came down on its nose landing gear. The airplane slid down the runway into the grass adjacent to the runway and nosed over. The pilot made no mention of any mechanical difficulties with the airplane. The private pilot was conducting a personal cross-country flight. The pilot reported that he was attempting to land at the airport to fuel the airplane before continuing to his destination. Upon landing, the main wheels touched down, followed by the nosewheel touching down hard. The pilot stated that he believed that the nosewheel tire then blew and that the decompressing nose strut caused the airplane to porpoise. He stated that the airplane then stalled and came down on its nosewheel. The airplane slid down the runway off into the grass and then nosed over. The pilot reported no mechanical difficulties with the airplane. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• — Aircraft-Aircraft systems-Landing gear system-Tire casing-Failure