If my memory serves me right Sikorsky modified the S76 following the loss of at least one aircraft following cable failures. Doesn't the S61 have a pneumatic cartridge that forces the tail rotor into a fixed position if a cable breaks, no control available?
In 30 years I've seen plenty of nasties with cables including one holding on with four strands. I've never seen a rod system that gave me any cause for concern, Dauphin, BO 105, Hughes 500 e.t.c.
When we are talking safety of course the prime use for MD 902 is police/air ambulance, which often land in areas with non helicopter trained personnel on the ground. Tail rotors still kill people on a regular basis.
Tail drive shafts are a problem area, remember the RAF Wessex which crashed into the lake with the air cadets onboard following a coupling failure , very nasty.
There is also the birdstrike and FOD issue for tail rotors in flight. RAF Puma that lost a door in flight (Norway) 4 killed.
I seem to remember a Hughes 300 tail rotor taking the head off the pilot when it came adrift in flight, 2 killed. Delta hinge bolt failure.
I am not aware of any incident where a notar fan has failed in a catastophic manner. Are there any examples?
Notar is new and therefore statistics are in short supply. I have difficulty believing that a tail rotor or fenestron is fundamentally safer.