What happened
The pilot was performing a takeoff to the west from a grass strip located adjacent to and parallel to a dirt road. According to the pilot, the takeoff roll encountered bumps within the grass strip, and the aircraft was subjected to a nearly direct crosswind.
After reaching an altitude of approximately 50 feet above ground level (AGL), the pilot reported that the aircraft began to descend and drift north due to the wind conditions. In an attempt to correct the descent just before touching the ground, the pilot applied back pressure on the control stick. This maneuver resulted in a hard impact with the right wheel and wing.
The aircraft impacted the terrain on its left side, causing damage to the left main gear and the left wing, and eventually came to rest in an inverted position.
The investigation
An FAA inspector examined the crash site and the wreckage. The inspection of the aircraft revealed that there was no fuel remaining in the airplane at the time of examination; however, it was noted that the aircraft had remained inverted for two days prior to the inspection. The investigator found no identifiable anomalies regarding the condition of the engine or the airframe.