Enstrom F-28C N51767 accident near Lanesboro, Iowa

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the helicopter while making an off-airport landing with a gusty tailwind.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that his door opened during the low-altitude aerial observation flight. The pilot stated that he was unable to close the door in flight due to the wind, so he decided to make an off-airport landing to close and latch the door. He stated that when he initiated a turn, the door opened, so he continued the flight in a direction such that the wind kept the door closed; he believed this direction would result in a headwind. The pilot stated that during the landing, the helicopter lost lift at an altitude of 5 to 10 feet above the ground. The helicopter impacted the ground, which resulted in the main rotor blade severing the tail boom. Ground scars and recorded wind information indicated that the landing was performed with a gusty tailwind.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN13CA238 for the full record.