A releasable self-resetting cargo hook for heli­copters and other aircraft for supporting suspended loads. The cargo hook apparatus includes a pivotally supported load arm (78) maintained in its load supporting condition by a pivotally mounted latch arm (100) whose posi­tion, in turn, is controlled by a pivotally mounted latch (120). The position of the latch (120) is determined by a pivotally mounted lock arm lever (142) whose normal position is determined by a stop pin (156) and which is operated by a release mechanism (146). The interconnection between the latch (120) and lock arm lever (142) is through a cam slot (132) defined on the latch (120) receiving a lock arm lever follower (150), and the cam slot-follower relationship prevents impact forces imposed on the cargo hook structure from inad­vertently producing lock arm lever rotation and latch movement.