Accident Overview
An airline transport pilot was conducting a personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, departing from an off-airport site to his home airport. During the departure, the airplane experienced an uncontrolled descent that resulted in ground contact and subsequent damage.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that immediately after liftoff, a wind shift caused the tailwheel-equipped airplane to descend uncontrollably. During the descent, the airplane struck its tail and left main landing gear on the ground. The airplane then became airborne again, and the pilot flew it back to his home airport. Once airborne, he observed that the left main landing gear had been damaged by the impact with the ground.
Damage Examination
An examination of the airplane by a National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge revealed substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer and the left main landing gear fuselage attachment. No other damage was noted.