Tandemrotor
As Winch-Control and Notchy Collective are completely at odds as to what was attached to what, when and where; and in addition, where these components were situated; I find it very difficult to accept your statement:
"Absolutely clearly this was an utter disgrace at the time of the accident"
I do believe, however, that the Detatchment Commander and his Replacement were beholden by their appointments to ensure that their aircraft were fit to fly. In this particular case they had been flying this aircraft for some 6 hrs that day and had not reported any significant defects - indeed, for the defect that they did report, they failed to raise the required paperwork; thus putting the groundcrew in the invidious position of having to attempt to isolate and cure a fault without completing any paperwork to show what had been done.