What happened
During a takeoff roll on runway 04, which is a gravel, down-sloping runway measuring 3,200 feet by 50 feet, the pilot configured the Cessna (type not specified in source) with 20 degrees of flaps and leaned the mixture for altitude performance. The pilot reported that liftoff appeared normal at midfield and the aircraft began to become light on its wheels while entering ground effect. However, during the final 700 to 1,000 feet of the roll, despite maximum acceleration, the aircraft was pushed back down to the ground.
The pilot then executed emergency abort procedures, which included directing the aircraft toward bushes at the end of the runway to absorb impact, cutting off the fuel flow, and turning off the magnetos and ignition switch to mitigate fire risk. The aircraft impacted bushes and a fence at the departure end of the runway. The incident resulted in substantial damage to the wings, left main landing gear, and left horizontal stabilizer. The pilot was not injured.
At the time of the accident, local temperatures ranged from 70 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit with dew points between 44 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit, though the pilot reported the airport temperature was 51 degrees Fahrenheit. Calculated density altitudes were between 10,000 and 12,200 feet. The takeoff was performed with a tailwind of 10 to 15 knots.