Probable cause
The pilot's improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing, the nosewheel tire bursting, and a subsequent porpoise and nose-over.
NTSB analysis
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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN15LA207 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 7, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Jennings, Louisiana
- Nearest airport
- Jennings (3R7)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 177B
- N-number
- N30981
- Category
- Airplane
- 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.