What happened
A private certificated pilot was performing a takeoff from a north/south oriented, one-way landing area located at approximately 2,000 feet MSL. The landing strip measured roughly 400 feet in length and 15 feet in width. During the departure, which proceeded north and downhill, the pilot configured the aircraft with one notch of flaps selected.
After liftoff, the aircraft climbed to an altitude of approximately 40 feet AGL. The pilot reported that the aircraft experienced a pitch change where the tail felt pushed downward, causing the nose to rise; the pilot attributed this sensation to what he believed was a tailwind. In an effort to prevent a stall, the pilot lowered the nose and began retracting the flaps. During this maneuver, the aircraft collided with spruce trees approximately 200 yards from the takeoff area.
The investigation
The impact resulted in damage to the landing gear, stabilizer, both wings, and the wing lift struts.