Incident Details
According to the airline transport pilot, during the takeoff roll, the airplane briefly exited the runway to the left after a passenger inadvertently pushed the left rudder pedal. While the pilot corrected for the runway excursion, the right main landing gear struck a taxiway sign as the pilot regained control and guided the airplane back onto the runway. Neither the pilot nor the passenger observed any damage from their cockpit seats, and they continued the takeoff roll and departure.
Damage and Repairs
After reaching the destination, during the touchdown roll, the pilot noticed the right main landing gear tire was deflated. The pilot affirmed that "the right wheel dug in and threw up debris that damaged the right elevator." Photographs taken at the departure airport depicted a taxiway sign with blue paint and metallic particle transfer on the sign, which appeared to be the same blue color as the accident airplane. Further, the photographs showed damage to the sign consistent with the damage to the airplane's elevator. Impact impressions on the taxiway sign's black metal frame were consistent with the damage sustained to the right side of the airplane's elevator. The pilot reported using duct tape to make repairs to the airplane, then took off and landed at the final destination airport without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the elevator.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane prior to departure or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.