Event Details
The airplane veered off the runway during a training takeoff and struck a snow bank located off the left side of the pavement. Both pilots reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the airplane.
Preflight Briefing
Prior to the takeoff, the certified flight instructor (CFI) briefed the pilot under instruction (PUI) on an engine-out procedure. The CFI informed the PUI that he would fail the left engine. However, the PUI later stated that he did not fully understand the procedure. He believed that the simulated engine failure would occur while the airplane was in the air, not during the ground roll.
Simulated Engine Failure
During the takeoff roll, the CFI simulated an engine failure by pulling the left mixture control. Contrary to the briefing, the PUI did not pull the throttles to idle as instructed. The PUI reported being surprised when the airplane began to veer to the left. He fixated on the rudder controls and did not reduce engine power on the right engine.
Aftermath
The airplane departed the runway pavement and collided with a snow bank. No injuries were reported. The aircraft sustained damage to the left wing and propeller. Both pilots confirmed that the airplane was functioning normally prior to the event.