Incident Overview
A flight instructor was providing primary flight instruction to a student pilot in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. The incident occurred during departure from a 5,000-foot-long, dry paved runway. According to the instructor, the airplane drifted to the right immediately after becoming airborne. The drift could not be corrected, and the airplane continued off the right side of the runway onto grass-covered terrain.
Actions During the Event
The instructor reported that the student pilot then closed the engine throttle and switched the engine magnetos to the off position. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard on the right main landing gear wheel, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no preaccident mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operations. The airplane's systems were found to be functioning as designed, with no evidence of any failure or malfunction that could have contributed to the loss of directional control.
Damage Assessment
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage during the hard landing. The specific extent of damage was not further detailed, but the term 'substantial' indicates significant structural impact requiring repair.