N8173E

On November 30, 2000, at 0930 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N, N8173E, sustained substantial damage during a hard landing at the Marana Airport, Marana, Arizona. The airplane was operated by Tucson Aeroservice Center, Inc., and rented by a student pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local area instructional flight, which departed from the Marana Airport at 0915.

The student pilot stated the final approach was normal until he began the flare, when the morning sun momentarily restricted his vision. His vision cleared but he was surprised by early contact with the runway. The airplane bounced and the pilot attempted to control the aircraft without adding power. The pilot regained control of the aircraft after the subsequent bounce and taxied off the runway. After clearing the runway the pilot shutdown the engine and noticed the damage to the propeller. Subsequent inspection disclosed that the firewall was damaged. The Director of Operations for the fixed-base operator (FBO) stated the winds were light, no more than 3-4 knots.