Nick,
No way am I trying to denegrate the 76, I make my living working on it, I am simply stating my views on what I feel is an area where the aircraft is weak.
You are correct that I do not have all data, not to many people have, all I can deal with is the facts as they are presented to me, the accidents that you refer probably didn't happen in the oil patch, so they didn't make the news.
As for the strength, build quality, of the 76 / 61 lets just agree to disagree.
Anyway its the festive season so lets forget about helicopters for a day or two.
Have a good one and all the best for 2005
Slainte,
PR