Static electric shock, in a nutshell. A little more complex than that, but like touching something that is more grounded than you.
Every so often work with helicopters and a sling cable.
“And whatever you do - let the cable touch the ground first before you grab it!”
I was told the cable as it flies through the air picks up static electricity. I wonder why the helicopter doesn’t become a “giant capacitor”? Maybe the cable is insulated from the helicopter?
Highly disappointed that the smart Germans didn’t think of it before launching the Hindenburg. It’s called Titanic syndrome or Yamato syndrome.
The Germans probably had it figured out 5 minutes later.