Incident Details
A flight instructor reported that during a biennial flight review, the pilot released the brakes and applied full power for takeoff in a multi-engine airplane. As the takeoff roll progressed, the instructor used the left engine mixture control to simulate a left engine failure. In response, the pilot froze at the flight controls, causing the airplane to veer left.
Flight Instructor's Account
To regain directional control, the instructor attempted to fail the right engine by pulling its mixture control. However, his hand came off the mixture control before completing the action. The airplane subsequently departed the runway. The instructor then managed to get his hand back on the right mixture control and pulled it to idle cut-off. Following this, the nose landing gear collapsed.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
Mechanical Status
The instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.