Accident
A powered-lift, weight-shift controlled light sport aircraft collided with a metal support wheel of an irrigation system after taking off from a grass airstrip in gusting crosswind conditions. The pilot was aware of the irrigation pipes, which were located about five yards from the edge of the airstrip and supported by ten-foot-diameter metal rotation wheels. He believed that allowing the aircraft to weather vane into the crosswind would keep it over the airstrip.
After liftoff, the pilot permitted the aircraft to weather vane toward the irrigation pipes. Shortly thereafter, the wind shifted, and the aircraft flew into one of the ten-foot support wheels before the pilot could take corrective action.
Pilot's Report
In the recommendations section of the NTSB Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that he was in a rush and that he should have taken the time to move over to an adjacent field that was away from the irrigation system.