philgoddard Sep 1, 2011:

So where do the pallets fit in with all this?

Uta Kappler Sep 1, 2011:

Maybe "Massen" was used here to differentiate between distinct individual "parts" falling to the ground and some kind of "bulk" material/load? When I read "abstürzende Masse", the first thing that came to my mind were "falling masses" of snow or rocks, as in an avalanche.

David Williams (asker) Sep 1, 2011:

This is in the context of lifting & transportation of an aircraft, in particular, a helicopter. These are warnings that stand alone, not really related to the sentences before and after, e.g.:
Nicht unter schwebender Last aufhalten.
Nicht über Personen hinweg transportieren.
Quetschen von Körperteilen möglich.

I meant that 'Teile' and 'Massen' are not synonymous. Obviously, 'abstürzend' is identical, as it is the same word (and thus not synonymous, either, albeit for a different reason).

olympio (X) Sep 1, 2011:

Hi David You've posted 2 instances where, as you say, 'abstürzend' has been used non-synonymously. In order to help us understand the 2 usages of 'abstürzend' better in their respective contexts, please post a few related sentences before and after.