On November 10, 2001, approximately 1515 central standard time, a Bell 407 helicopter, N517R, registered to and operated by Industrial Helicopters Inc., of Lafayette, Louisiana, was substantially damaged while in cruise flight in the vicinity of Erath, Louisiana. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a company VFR flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. The flight originated at 1500 from an offshore platform, South Marsh 253. According to the pilot, he inadvertently applied full right pedal while the helicopter was in cruise flight, resulting in a left yaw. The baggage compartment door opened and the main rotor tie down rope to exited the helicopter. The departing rope became entangled in the tail rotor system. Subsequently, the pilot lost anti-torque authority and performed an autorotative landing to an open field.