On October 28, 2007, a Grumman American AA-5A (registration N27175) was involved in an aviation accident near Sequim, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's misjudged distance and altitude that led to an undershoot; his failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll; and his failure to maintain clearance from trees during an attempted aborted landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
After landing short of the runway threshold and veering left, the pilot initiated an aborted landing. The airplane struck trees, entered a spin, descended uncontrolled, and partially impacted a residence before being consumed by fire.
Incident
The accident occurred during a landing attempt when the airplane touched down short of the runway threshold. During the landing roll, the airplane proceeded off the left side of the runway into the grass median.
Accident Sequence
The pilot then initiated an aborted landing by adding full power. Witnesses observed the airplane about 10 feet above the ground in a steep nose-up attitude. Subsequently, the left wing of the airplane struck a tree. The airplane then struck two more trees with its left wing before entering a spin to the left. The airplane descended uncontrolled and partially impacted a private residence before coming to rest in the property's backyard.
Aftermath
A post-crash fire consumed the airplane. Investigators noted no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.