NYC01LA019

The pilot reported that he was on a right base leg to Runway 29, when the airplane overshot the turn to final. He further reported that he increased the bank to return to runway centerline. The airplane suddenly entered an accelerated stall about 200 feet above the ground, and struck the runway. The FAA inspector reported the airplane touched down on centerline of Runway 29, in the middle of the displaced threshold. It then departed the right side of the runway and came to rest. A small fire developed under the fuselage, which was extinguished. The winds were from 060 degrees at 5 knots.

On October 23, 2000, at 0912 Eastern Daylight Time, an American AA-1A, N9375L was substantially damaged while landing at Westchester County Airport (HPN), White Plains, New York. The certificated commercial pilot and passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, that originated at Barnes Municipal Airport (BAF), Westfield, Massachusetts. No flight plan had been filed for the flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot stated:

"I was # 2 to the airport on a right base for Runway 29. The # 1 A/C was on final to Runway 34. Upon turning right base to final for Runway 29, I noticed I was being blown to the left of the Runway 29 centerline. I attempted to get back on centerline with additional bank, but remember saying to myself not to bank too steeply. At that point the A/C suddenly apparently went into an accelerated stall at about 200 ft AGL. The A/C seemed to impact the runway in a wallowing mushy attitude. Loss of control seemed very sudden...."

According to an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a witness observed the airplane in a steep right bank, turn final, then descend toward the runway. The airplane was observed to strike the runway in a right wing low attitude, bounce, and then depart the runway on the right side. After the airplane came to rest, a fire developed under the fuselage. Several people grabbed fire extinguishers and proceeded to the scene. The occupants were assisted in exiting the airplane, and the airport fire-fighting personnel extinguished the fire.

The FAA inspector further reported the initial touchdown occurred on runway centerline, in the middle of the displaced threshold for Runway 29. The airplane came to rest prior to crossing taxiway ALPHA, and the start of the landing area. He also reported that the landing gear had collapsed rearward, and the propeller was bent. Wrinkles were observed on both wings, the fuselage, and firewall. Gouge marks were also visible in the displaced threshold surface.

The winds were from 060 degrees at 5 knots.