If this Major has proved this "Nick" problem was the cause to this fatal incident, surely this would affect all tail rotors, of all helicopters, not just that particular model.
After all tail rotors mainly operate in a pretyy hostile area and most T/R that I have seen, looked like they had been prepared for repainting by contact with abrasive particles in the air.
Perhaps someone will explain more of the technical stuff regarding the abrasion and its possible outcome!!