Incident Summary
An airplane ground looped off the runway and collided with a runway sign during landing. The event occurred while the pilot was performing a touch-and-go landing at an airport. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.
Flight Details
The pilot was conducting a left-hand traffic pattern for runway 10L. While abeam the runway identification numbers, Hayward Tower cleared the pilot for the option. The pilot chose to perform a touch-and-go and continued to short final. The wind was from 150 degrees at 12 knots, creating a right crosswind.
Sequence of Events
Despite the crosswind, the pilot touched down on the runway centerline without incident. During the landing rollout, with the airplane configured in a wheel-landing attitude, the pilot encountered a strong gust of wind. The right wing lifted, and the tail was displaced to the left of the centerline, resulting in a weathervane to the right. The pilot inputted full opposite rudder and aileron in an effort to counteract the wind conditions. The airplane veered to the right and continued off the runway. The airplane's tail collided with a taxiway identification sign, and the airplane continued into a ditch located between the two runways.
Post-Accident Information
The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.