Flight Details
A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot were conducting an instructional flight in a tandem-seat, tailwheel-equipped airplane. The student pilot had accumulated 20 hours of total flight experience, all in the same make and model of the accident airplane, and had not yet soloed. Weather conditions reported calm wind and 10 miles of visibility.
Takeoff and Incident
The student pilot, seated in the front seat, began the takeoff roll—his first of the day. The CFI described the takeoff roll as "a little wiggly," which he considered normal for a student pilot in a tailwheel airplane. Immediately after liftoff, the airplane drifted to the right of the 75-foot-wide runway. The CFI did not take control because he did not perceive any immediate hazards. Shortly after, he felt the airplane "hit something" and then took over the controls, landing the airplane on the remaining runway. The airplane was subsequently taxied to a parking spot.
Damage and Evidence
A postaccident examination revealed that the fabric on the aft bottom fuselage was torn, and several fuselage structural tubing members were bent or broken. An airport taxiway sign was found damaged, with debris scattered on the runway. Witness marks indicated that the airplane had struck the top of the sign. The CFI reported that he never saw the sign during the veer-off due to his location in the rear seat.
Mechanical Condition
Neither pilot reported any preimpact mechanical malfunction or failure with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.