Originally Posted by
havick
yes. When the cable gets fouled and cannot be un-fouled.
There have also been situations during engine failures or emergencies (both twin and single engine helo’s) resulting a swift winch out and cut the cable rather than the patient/rescue crewman becoming a sand anchor.
I don’t have time to trawl through reports, it’s not common but cutting the cable does happen.
Most operations also have a quick splice hook on board, so if you need to cut the cable due it it being fouled you can continue using quick splice.
Thanks, at least " swift winch out and cut the cable" preserves the possibility that it would not be automatically fatal to the patient/rescue crewman, no doubt a really bad day for all involved.