ericferret,
The Notar is a complex system that HAS a tail rotor. This making your assertion that is is somehow BETTER than a tail rotor a bit silly ("I have difficulty believing that a tail rotor or fenestron is fundamentally safer.") Additionally, a Notar has a full rudder control system, and a full thruster control system. Three critical control systems instead of one. Nice improvement, huh?
Regarding cable controls, the failure you describe is because the maintenance crew strung the cable wrong, a problem with control rods, too, kimo sabe. The S76 (and all Sikorsky production models) have unique redundant cable systems, with the ability to fly home with good yaw control with one cut cable, and fly home on a centering spring after both cables are cut.
It is not easy debating with someone who quickly produces bad data, except to ask you this: What centering spring or redundancy does a Notar have for any of its THREE yaw control systems?