Vans aircraft pilot reported a loss of control in flight after takeoff due to a wind gust. After the aircraft bounced on the runway the pilot continued flying while attempting to fix a full nose down trim condition and eventually landed the aircraft with minor damage.

Narrative

Flying an experimental aircraft departing on Runway XX; I made a normal takeoff. Wind at ground level was estimated at 6 to 8 kts from east; gusting to perhaps 12 to 15 kts. No wind socks were available as they had been taken down a few days earlier in anticipation of Hurricane. Rotation was about 65 kts; and I began a normal climb to approximately tree top level where I was hit by a surprisingly hard gust from right side rolling the aircraft hard to left. I countered with hard right aileron. I made a mistake when struggling to fight the turbulence; I took my right hand (dominate hand) off the throttle and put it on top of the control stick to assist the left hand. In the process; I inadvertently activated the 'coolie hat' causing the pitch trim to move to the maximum nose down. I was doing my best to crush the control stick for several seconds. Also having neglected the throttle for several seconds; it had crept out about 1 inch significantly reducing thrust; but I failed to notice the reduced power. I slammed into the ground; wings level but slightly nose down attitude; causing a bounce back into the air. The aircraft did not stall. A glance at the IAS showed something over 70 kts so I elected to go around. Restoring power added airspeed but not climb rate. I was in still moderate turbulence and not climbing normally with no unpopulated space to make a safe landing. I struggled to stay in the air. Trimmed full nose down; pulling as hard as I could; I could not raise the nose more than a degree or two above the horizon. I flew over the residential community north of the airport at a low altitude (estimated at 80 to 100 feet AGL); with barely enough altitude to avoid obstacles. As soon as possible; I turned west to get over a less populated area and was able to climb to perhaps 300 feet AGL where the turbulence abated to a less frightening level and trimmed for nose up. Climbing through about 1100 feet AGL; I entered an area of light turbulence. I was shaken and chose to go to a nearby paved airport which has no trees and a runway more into the winds. After landing; I measured the full down limit for down pitch and found that the trim tab had traveled more than 10 inches beyond its designated limit. I did not build this experimental aircraft but purchased it with 70 hours time on it. The down elevator had not been set to proper travel range. I am in the process of modifying the trim system to limit travel to the point where it can be overpowered by the pilot when needed. The aircraft sustained a broken nose wheel pant but no other damage. No one was hurt.