# NTSB CEN15LA207: Cessna 177B, N30981, Jennings, LA, April 7, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 7, 2015, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Jennings, LA - Coordinates: 30.242776, -92.673614 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2428&lon=-92.6736&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 26, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Baton Rouge FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 91068 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA207 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91068/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91068 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA207 ## 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. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: tire casing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure; cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244/cases.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 36 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023244/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 177B, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2073708), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## 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. ## 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30981](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30981-2017-11-28), registration cancelled 2017-11-28, S/N 17701581 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B (B) - Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17701581 - Airframe hours: 3574 - Engines: LYCOMING O360-A1F6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 2014 - Departed: ACT, Waco, TX - Destination: PGD, Punta Gorda, FL - Airport: 3R7, Jennings, runway 31, 3,601 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 15, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,195 total, 31 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,600 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: 3R7 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20150407005529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150407005529A), Apr 7, 2015: Cessna 177B, Jennings, LA, Substantial damage. Main gear came down first with a hard nose gear landing. Front tire blew out forcing aircraft right side into grass. Nose gear broke off. Aircraft nosed into… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 8, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91068. 425 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 425 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40437522&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.