This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors.
Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On January 2, 2003, about 1951 eastern standard time, a Hughes OH-6, N317LC, registered to and operated by Pasco County Sheriff's Office, landed hard during an autorotative landing following a loss of engine power after takeoff from Hidden Lake Airport, New Port Richey, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the public use flight. The helicopter was substantially damaged and there were no reported injuries to the commercial-rated pilot or pilot-rated observer. The flight originated about 6 minutes earlier from the Hidden Lake Airport.

The pilot stated that after takeoff while in a left turn climbing through 600 feet at 60 knots indicated airspeed, he heard a loss of engine power. He stopped the turn and noted that the engine was at flight idle as indicated by the dual tachometer. He verified the throttle was full open, and maneuvered the helicopter towards an open area. He bled off main rotor rpm to clear obstacles that were ahead, and decelerated at 10 feet above ground level. The helicopter touched down with little forward movement, coming to rest upright.

Preliminary examination of the engine revealed the fuel nozzle line attachment fitting was found loose by 3 flats. Additionally, an abnormal noise was heard with operation of the fuel shutoff valve. The engine and fuel shutoff valve were retained for further examination.