I have read this thread with very mixed emotions. Frequently seething from some of the pompous remarks made; but I make only two points.
Cyclic Hotline says: “Commercial pressure should never drive safety”.
Perhaps unfortunately, in my world, somehow it nearly always does.
SASless says: “Hopefully, if there is any good to be found in this...European Rules will be amended so that such occurrences can be prevented.”
A change of the rules in Europe will not do the job. A change will never take universal effect. There will always be some national authority that will not accept the changes or be 20 years behind everyone else, and even in those places that change the rules it may not even prevent such one-in-a-million occurrences.
It will however reduce the opportunities for helicopter companies to do business, the number of companies able to stay in business, the number of hours flown, the number of helicopters made and sold, as well as the number of pilots and mechanics employed. Off-hand I can’t think of any rule change aimed at preventing some flying activity that has had a positive effect on the economics of our industry.