N28643Grumman American Avn. AA-5B · 1978

The pilot reported that, after an aborted takeoff, he taxied to the end of the runway and turned around for departure even though the windsock still favored a takeoff from the opposite runway. The pilot decided he had enough runway and initiated a takeoff. The airplane lifted off and was out of ground effect when the pilot felt that there might have been a tailwind gust as the airplane lost airspeed and subsequently impacted the terrain just north of the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.