# NTSB LAX01LA048: Cessna 172N, N8173E, Marana, AZ, November 30, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 30, 2000, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Marana, AZ - Coordinates: 32.449398, -111.290161 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4494&lon=-111.2902&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 50711 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA048 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50711/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA048 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper flare and improper recovery from a bounced landing. A factor in the accident was the morning sun, which momentarily restricted the pilot's vision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that 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 maintain control without adding power. The pilot regained control after the subsequent bounce and taxied off the runway. After taxing clear of the runway the pilot noticed the prop had struck the ground. Subsequent inspection revealed that the firewall was damaged. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8173E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8173E), registered now, S/N 17272147, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17272147 - Airframe hours: 3624 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Tuscon Aeroservice Center, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 24, 2000, 8 hours before - Departed: MZJ - Airport: E14, Marana, runway 12, 6,901 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 26 total, 17 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 142 °F, dew point 99 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TUS, 24 nm away ## 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 20001130026429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001130026429A), Nov 30, 2000: Cessna 172N, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) The student pilot was on an early morning solo flight in the pattern. While attempting to land the airplane the student experienced momentary sun glare,… 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.