dangermouse,
You have an odd way of trying to squelch rumors when you yourself speculate that it might be a maintenance error. To say that "Peoples livelihoods depend on it" and then slur those who maintained the stricken bird is the height of hypocrisy.
I guess you were asleep when the Canadian aviation authorities were quoted as saying that the tail rotor hubs crack so regularly that they change them constantly. I don't think the Canadians said that the maintainers were so sloppy that they cracked their aircraft.
There is a difference between a bald rumor and the discussion of known hub plate cracks followed by a helo that is reported to have tossed three tail rotor blades, experienced subsequent control difficulties and then crashed.
It is also quite interesting that this "crashworthy" helo got so bent up in a hover accident that two people had to be cut out from it.
All the above is as reported from authoritative aviation sources, not rumor.
dangermouse, talking about "Peoples livelihoods depend on it", how much do you want to bet that the accident report won't be filed until after the US Presidential Helicopter selection! Since the livlihoods you are worried about are obviously Westland and Agusta, what say you?