CN727,
You dont really think they are going to put a 500 hr pilot in as PIC now do you? There are many airlines including in the UK that will take a 500hr pilot. What about the MCPL they will take someone who has never flown an actual aeroplane!! and that is a JAR invention. Airline accidents in Africa and anywhere around the world, happen for numerous reasons, I cant remember one that was due to the assigned PIC having 500hrs. Infact I would put money on the fact the most of them have been high time pilots.