Incident Overview
A private pilot was conducting a daytime ferry flight in a helicopter when the flight controls began to bind. The pilot executed a precautionary landing on a lake. While floating on the surface, the pilot moved the controls, and the binding temporarily ceased.
Subsequent Takeoff and Accident
After the controls appeared to function normally, the pilot took off again. Almost immediately, the controls would not respond to inputs and became completely bound. The helicopter descended out of control and impacted the water.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination of the helicopter revealed numerous pieces of hardware—including washers, nuts, and cotter keys—scattered on the deck immediately behind the transmission and below the flight controls. The helicopter had accumulated a total of 20 hours since new, and no subsequent maintenance had been performed.
Probable Cause
Not determined from the available information.