What happened
The pilot was conducting a takeoff from an unpaved airstrip situated near a campsite. The strip was located on a hill within a level bench area and was oriented generally north-south. According to the pilot's report, the wind was blowing from 080 degrees at approximately 15 knots with gusts reaching 18 knots.
The aircraft was equipped with a Robertson STOL kit. The pilot noted that this modification diminished the aircraft's crosswind capability. He reported lifting off near the end of the runway at an airspeed of approximately 50 to 55 mph. About 300 feet from the end of the strip, the aircraft began to settle. Subsequently, it touched down on rough terrain and was substantially damaged.
The pilot believed that due to the surrounding terrain, the wind beyond the end of the runway had shifted to a quartering tailwind.