RV-9
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 12; Flight Crew Total 4279; Flight Crew Type 29
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Ground Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control; Ground Event / Encounter Object; Ground Excursion Runway
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Regained Aircraft Control
Human Factors
I was in the passenger seat with a student pilot. I had flown with the owner of this plane for some 20+ hours. He had asked me to accompany him to [another airport] for a phase check toward his pilot license. On takeoff he applied power too fast and forces pulled the aircraft violently off to the left. I wasn't expecting this as I had my legs and feet crossed keeping them out of the way of the rudder pedals. I called for more right rudder while trying to retard the throttle. We over corrected and ran off the runway to the right hitting a taxi sign doing substantial damage to the aircraft. The right elevator hinge pin; which hangs down; hit the top of the sign flipping it up and off its post making contact with the right horizontal stabilizer. Lucky no one got hurt or damage to other aircraft.
RV-9 pilot reported the student pilot lost control during takeoff roll that resulted in a runway excursion and contact with a taxiway sign.