I have not previously heard that the Capricorn (B407) crew were attempting a winch, instead, I believe they were attempting a life raft drop to the survivors.
Additionally, the B412 that also went out, dropped a raft than waited until first light to perform the winch.
On the above comment about insurance....we will all pay a bit more now because the insurance companies rarely (if ever) take account of the safety health of an organisation. As the Australian regulators appear (from the posts above) to be allowing such operations, and insurers are risking everybody's money insuring them, what is the solution? Or do we continue to criticize? What kind of pressure did the crew percieve, and why were they unable to resist? How can we learn from it?
At least this was a "free" lesson in terms of human life.
Should we wait for the facts?
[ 22 July 2001: Message edited by: helmet fire ]