Abstract: A load limiter or a crash attenuation device based on wire bending principals is disclosed. Excessive tensile shocks, such as the accelerative forces imposed on a low stretch load restraint in a helicopter if it crashes, are absorbed by forcing a bifurcated double coil to successively bend and straighten as it travels through a pair of wire guides in response to the forces being transmitted into the limiter by the load restraint. The reaction force absorbed is a function of the wire diameter and stiffness while the reaction stroke is a function of the number of turns in the coil reels. The device further has an adjustment mechanism so it can easily be adapted to a wide variety of design conditions without changing the basic configuration of the limiter.