20130423008929A

The aircraft was conducting an aerial survey contracted by the Iowa department of natural resources (dnr). The purpose of the survey was to conduct a statewide count of geese. The pilot was accompanied in the aircraft by a wildlife biologist employed by the dnr. The pilot?s door became unlatched in flight. The pilot was unable to secure the door in flight. The pilot elected to land in an agricultural field to secure the door. The aircraft approached the landing point downwind and reported turbulence as the aircraft neared the ground. The aircraft impacted the ground with sufficient force to flex the main rotor blades to the point that the blades contacted the tail rotor boom and cut it off. The aircraft also bounced, yawed and came to rest approximately 80 degrees from the direction of approach. The pilot and passenger exited the aircraft. The pilot reported no injury. The passenger reported a small abrasion to his right hand and a small contusion on his head. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.