Incident Overview
A pilot who had obtained his private pilot's license a few weeks prior and had limited flying experience was the pilot flying during a landing approach. He had invited his certified flight instructor to accompany him on a pleasure flight. The pilot reported that the wind was from 040 degrees at an estimated speed of 13 to 15 knots.
Sequence of Events
During the landing flare and touchdown, the aircraft yawed to the left. While rolling down the runway, the left main landing gear departed the paved surface. In response, the flight instructor added full power. The aircraft then lifted off, turned abruptly to the right, and departed the right side of the runway. It subsequently struck a fixed distance marker and came to rest in a ditch.
Pilot and Instructor Roles
The pilot stated that he was handling the approach and landing. The flight instructor was present as a passenger and intervened by applying full power after the left main gear left the runway. The aircraft's subsequent maneuvers led to the runway excursion and collision with the distance marker.