Accident Summary
A helicopter involved in a cruise flight experienced a loss of control and impacted terrain. The pilot reported that the helicopter was established in cruise flight at approximately 500 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot was accompanied by a dog, which was restrained by a harness in the right seat.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, a farmer waved as he flew by, and the pilot banked the helicopter 30 degrees to the left and right in response. This maneuver upset the dog. The pilot then transferred the cyclic from his right hand to his left hand, and restrained the collective by using the side of his leg, in order to free his right hand to reassure the dog.
During this time, the helicopter entered a 135-degree right bank, and the pilot reported feeling "weightless." He increased collective to load the main rotor and rolled left, recovering about 250 feet agl. The main rotor speed was described as "very low" and the helicopter was descending rapidly.
About 50 feet agl, the pilot attempted to pitch up, but the aircraft did not respond. He "pulled all energy out of the rotor" and the helicopter impacted in a slight nose-down attitude.
Damage and Contributing Factors
The impact resulted in collapsed skids, damage to the lower portion of the fuselage, and the main rotor blades struck the tail boom. The pilot stated there were no failures or malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident. He noted that the distraction of having a dog in the helicopter and his transferring cyclic control to his left hand were contributing factors to the accident.