20100509033889A

On may 09, 2010, at 1900 eastern time, a Hiller UH-12A, aircraft, registration N116S, experienced the loss operational control during cruise flight near Sarasota, Florida. The pilot stated that he was distracted and loss control of the aircraft, which abruptly veered to the left and pitched nose down. The pilot tried to auto-rotate, but was unable to react in adequate time, thus the aircraft impacted the ground. As a result of the impact, the left skid was sheared off and the left skid mount was bent upward. The engine, mount, transmission, and rotor head were thrusted forward causing the tubular frame to fail. The main rotor blades impacted the tail boom severing the boom and causing the tail rotor shaft to depart the aircraft and impact a near by residence's exterior stucco wall. The wall also had evidence of the tail rotor shaft bearings impacting the wall. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under the provisions of title 14 of the code of federal regulations (14 CFR) part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, after impact with the ground. The pilot did not receive any injuries. The flight departed dove heliport, in Sarasota, Florida, on may 09, 2010, at approximately 1845 hours eastern daylight time.