Small Aircraft; Low Wing; 1 Eng; Retractable Gear
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Flight Engineer; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 3; Flight Crew Total 11506; Flight Crew Type 1693
Training / Qualification
Ground Event / Encounter Object; Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Weather
Normal landing until approximately 50 ft AGL. Experienced a heat-induced gust upset generating a roll of approximately 20-30 degrees. Recovered [and] continued descent to runway. Touchdown was normal but before tailwheel descended to runway I experienced another upset gust that turned aircraft approximately 30 left of runway centerline. Aircraft speed was such that main landing gear departed runway surface before directional corrections could take effect. Aircraft impacted lighted runway sign and then spun 270 deg clockwise to stop facing across runway on right side of pavement. This flight was conducted after an extended non-flying period. While currency was obtained prior to the flight; sufficient proficiency to operate in high-altitude; relatively hot conditions was not regained. After extended non-flying periods; it is prudent to re-establish proficiency in more benign weather conditions.
Pilot of tailwheel aircraft experienced gusty wind conditions during landing attempt. The main landing gear departed runway surface and impacted lighted runway sign.