20101226054919I

Pilot dave legas was conducting a VFR local traffic pattern flight. His first takeoff and landing was normal. His passenger was a pilot as well but was not current. He had flown with this pilot many times in the past. On the third downwind leg pilot legas asked his friend if he would like to try a landing. The approach was normal. On touch down the aircraft bounced up about 1 foot off the runway, normally not a problem. There was a slight right cross wind and the nose started to yaw to the right. The pilot added full left rudder (correct for the situation) and left aileron (not correct for the situation). The aircraft immediately started drifting off the runway to the left. Pilot legas (was shocked by this correction) assumed control of the aircraft, added power, flaps to 1/2 and the aircraft became airborne in ground effect. As he corrected the flight path during the go-around, the right main gear collided with the taxi way sign. He contacted the tower and advised them of the incident. The pilot was able to discuss his options with the tower and owner off the aircraft (via tower). They agreed that the best options was to land on a dirt road just east of the runway rather than on asphalt. The pilot made two low passes to be sure the road would be adequate and the aircraft owner did a pass in his truck as well. The approach and landing was slow and effective. The aircraft was landed on the left main and tail wheel first. Just before the aircraft came to a stop (one or two seconds) the left wing touched the dirt and came to rest. No damage to the wing tip. The landing roll was straight and controlled. In all accounts, the off runway landing was as good as it could be. There was minimal damage to the aircraft and no injuries to either pilot.