Sundowner 23
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 70; Flight Crew Total 810; Flight Crew Type 100
Training / Qualification
Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Event / Encounter Object; Ground Excursion Runway
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Human Factors; Weather
I was returning from a cross country trip. Approximately 6 miles north of the field I got the weather information. The winds were being reported 240 at 05KTs; variable between 200-270. I was number two for entry into the pattern. On downwind abeam the touchdown point (1000ft markers) I reduced the airspeed to 90MPH and lowered the flaps 10 degrees and began a descent. Upon reaching the 45 degree mark I turned base to land and lowered the flaps to 20 degrees and slowed the airspeed to 85 MPH. On final I input the last remaining notch of flaps to 30 degrees and maintained a constant approach angle. Due to the left crosswind I used the side slip method on final to correct for the crosswind by applying right rudder and left aileron into the wind. Once I crossed the runway threshold I slowed the airspeed to 80 MPH. Upon reaching the flare point I increased the nose pitch angle and glided to approximately 200 feet past the 1000 ft markers. Upon touching the main gear and nose wheel down a sudden gust lifted the left wing and begin to skid the airplane to the left side of the runway. I applied right rudder to correct. The airplane was unresponsive to the input. The airplane was approximately 45-55 MPH at this point (below stall speed). The airplane immediately left the runway to the left and collided with the taxiway sign on the underside of the left wing. The airplane corrected course upon colliding with the taxiway sign back onto the runway. No further damage was immediately noticed. I taxied back to the hangar and inspected the airplane. The left wing was damaged on the underside and the fuel tank was leaking due to hitting the sign. Damage was noticed on the left side of the horizontal stabilizer.  The prop was bent a little bit due to the sign as well.
Beech Sundowner pilot reported minor damage to the wing and the prop following loss of directional control shortly after touchdown led to a runway excursion and contact with a taxiway sign.