The blade problems occur in just a few hundred hours leading me to suggest the problem is design. I think operation in turbulence is a problem.
Because the R-22 does not have lead/lag blade hinges. Normally a teetering head doesnt have lead/lag hinges, instead it is built heavy to absorb the lead/lag. The very lightly built R-22 has coning (flapping) hinges to relieve coning bending but nothing to relieve lead/lag stress resulting from the independent flapping in sharp turbulence.
Just my opinion on this rumor network. Until someone explains how the lead/lead hinges are not needed, that is what I think.
slowrotor