Incident Overview
A flight examiner and a student pilot were conducting a private pilot check flight. The incident began during the takeoff roll on a runway with snow-covered surfaces.
Sequence of Events
During the initial takeoff acceleration, the flight examiner's shoulder harness was hanging outside the closed door, creating a banging noise. The examiner opened the door to retrieve the harness. As the harness was being pulled back into the aircraft, the aircraft deviated to the left. The student pilot, noticing the deviation, reduced engine power to abort the departure. However, the examiner assumed control of the aircraft, increased power, and continued the takeoff. The aircraft became airborne briefly but then settled and impacted a snowbank on the left side of the runway. The examiner subsequently reduced the throttle to idle and applied maximum braking. Due to the presence of snow and wet grass on the ground adjacent to the runway, the braking action was insufficient to stop the aircraft. The aircraft continued, striking a parked Bell 206 helicopter before finally coming to a stop.
Environmental Conditions
The incident occurred with a 10-knot quartering crosswind blowing from the right. The runway surface condition included snow, and the area beside the runway consisted of wet grass, contributing to reduced braking effectiveness.