Originally Posted by
Agaricus bisporus
You wouldn't try to lift a helo that has had a catastrophic 'box failure using strops around the head.
I think the above quote is very significant. I am sure that the AAIB on site would have done a cursory examination to ensure the MGB was in a satisfactory state to take the weight of the helicopter during the crane lift. If there had been an internal failure of the MGB - surely resulting in a damaged casing - then presumably an alternative method of lifting the aircraft would have been used.
Re tumbling end over end during the descent I agree with ST and think what could have been seen was yawing and rolling during the initial rotations following a possible fenestron drive failure.