The pilot in the weight-shift-controlled aircraft reported that he was performing a maintenance flight about 40 ft. above ground level. He recalled that he remained in the pattern and he was in a level flight profile when the left wing struck a tree. The aircraft fell to the ground and sustained substantial damage to the left wing strut and trailing edge tubes.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the weight-shift-controlled aircraft that would have precluded normal operation.