Accident Overview
A pilot reported an accident during an attempted touch-and-go landing at an airport with a 5,760-foot-long, 100-foot-wide asphalt runway. The airplane sustained damage to its firewall and horizontal stabilizer after striking a runway sign and coming to rest upright in a grass area between the runway and taxiway.
Pilot's Account
The pilot stated that he had intended to perform a touch-and-go landing into the wind. However, traffic was landing and departing in the opposite direction. After listening to the automated surface observation system, which indicated variable wind, he elected to land in the direction of the other traffic.
During the short final approach, the pilot noticed his airspeed was about 10 mph faster than normal. The airplane bounced after touchdown. The pilot added power to cushion a second bounce, and the airplane began to drift left toward the left side of the runway. Before he could correct the drift, the airplane bounced a second time. The pilot then added full power to perform a go-around, but the airplane struck a runway sign off the left side of the runway.
The pilot further stated that winds were light and variable and that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
Wind Conditions
Recorded wind at the airport, approximately 30 minutes before and after the accident, was a right crosswind at 6 knots with a 10-degree tailwind component.
Aircraft Examination
Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to the firewall and horizontal stabilizer.