CESSNA 177B

Full 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.